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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://archive.org/details/catskittens35wern 


Tootsy  Wootsy  Werner   (four  months  old), 
In  whose  honor  this  book  is  published. 


Picture  I. 
"See,  Tootsy  Wootsy  be's  m'  tat." 


Werner's 
Readings   and   Recitations 

No.  35 


Cats  attil  Ipiteixs 


wi 


New  York 
EDGAR   S.   WERNER   &   COMPANY 

Cppyri^ht,  1906,  by  Kdgar  S.  Weroejr 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Audacious  Kitten. — Oliver  Herford 184 

Bad  Peter,  Bad  Joe .  .  119 

Baron  Grimalkin's  Death  (Parody  on  Greene's  "Baron's  Last 

Banquet")  .—Will  M.  Carlton 126 

Boy  Blue  and  His  Gun. — Nellie  M.  Garabraut 209 

Boys'  Compositions  on  Cats 215 

Cat  and  Fox  (Fable) 137 

Cat  and  Mouse 157 

Cat  and  Painter. — Eleanor  H.  Porter 188 

Cat  and  Tiger  (Fable) 43 

Cat  Came  Fiddling 42 

Cat  Convention. — Edna  A.  Foster 155 

Cat  Law-Suit 168 

Cat- Life. — Lucy   Larcom 185 

Cat  of  Hindustan 228 

Cat  That  Came  to  School  (Action  Poem) 32 

Cat-egorical   Courtship 115 

Catching  the  Cat. — Margaret  Vandegrift 254 

Catkin  65 

Cats  (Parody  on  Southey's  "Cataract  of  Lodore") 66 

Cats. — Eve  Lawless 34 

Cats  and  Dogs. — Jerome  K.  Jerome 46 

Cats'  and  Kittens'  Opening  Address 12 

Cat's  Birthday  Celebration. — Mrs.  Gertrude  Manly  Jones ...  27 

Cats'  Duet \  . . .  I46 

3 

O 
o 

en 


4  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Cats,  Essay  or  Address  on. — Stanley  Schell 224 

Cat's  Meat  Man ;  or,  Cupboard  Love 267 

Cats'    Merry,    Merry    Meeting     (Action    Song). — Stanley 

Schell   .' 153 

Cats  Recognized  by  Cat  Clubs  of  To-day 243 

Cats'  Tea  Party  (Action  Poem) 26 

Cats'  Thanksgiving  Day 38 

Composite  Cat. — Maria  J.  Hammond 241 

Daisy's  Thanksgiving 212 

Dame  Trot  and  Her  Cat J" 

De  Black  Cat  Crossed  Hi;,  Luck. — J.  D.  Corrothers 124 

Dead  Canary. — Mrs.  Frederick  \Y.  Pender 230 

Dead  Kitten. — Sydney  Dayre 199 

Decoration  of  Honor. — L.  E.  Street 36 

Dick  Whittington  (Song  with  Tableaux) 49 

Dickens  and  His  Kitten 195 

Differences  between  Cat  and  Dog. — Elizabeth  I.  Cassin 24 

Ding  Dong  Bell  (Words  only) 227 

Ding  Dong  Bell   (Song — Illustrated) 39 

Dirty  Kitty  Cat. — Stanley  Schell 194 

Dishonest  Cat. — Mrs.  Frederick  "VY.  Pender 133 

Doctor  Tom  Mew 98 

Dog  and  Cat 218 

Dogs  and  Cats. — Alexander  Dumas 94 

Down  to  St.  Ives 207 

Duel. — Eugene  Field 143 

Elder  Johnson's  Lecture  on  Cats 69- 

Emblematic  Signification  of  Cat. 145 

Every  Mother's  Love  the  Best 15° 

False   Kindness 79 

Family  Cat -. 97 

Feline  Fate. — Anna  Robeson  Brown 129 

Five  Kitty  Cats. '. ..........' 103 

Girl,  Cat  and  Custard 183 

Good-for-nothing  Cat 57 


CONTENTS.  5 

PAGE 

Gray's  Elegy  on  Horace  Walpole's  Cat'. 232 

Had  to  Eat  It 219 

Happy  Family  ( Music) , 165 

Hodge,  the  Cat. — Susan  Coolidge 117 

Homeless  Kitten  (Music). — Jane  Campbell 135 

Homeliest  Cat  at  the  Show. — Rosalie  M.  Jones 20 

How  Pussy  and  Mousie  Kept  House. — A.  C.  Kish 68 

How  Pussy  Bathes 187 

How  to  Feed  and  Care  for  Cats. — Stanley  Schell 240 

In  Liquor 260 

In  the  Hay- Loft. — Helen  Thayer  Hutcheson 144 

Intelligent  Cat. — Grace  Bacon  Hoi  way 35 

Jet  and  Snowflake  (Dialogue) 270 

Jim  Wolfe  and  the  Cats. — Mark  Twain 244 

Just  Plain  Cat. — Jennie  Pendleton  Ewing 92 

Kathie's  Story : 100 

Kind  Boy.— Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender 120 

Kitten  and  the  Falling  Leaves    (Action   Poem). — William 

Wordsworth 122 

Kitten  and  the  Mouse 67 

Kitten  of  the  Regiment. — James  Buckram 246 

Kitten  that  Never  Grew  Old 178 

Kittens'  Blind-Man's  Buff  (Illustrated) 90 

Kittens'  Dancing-Lesson. — Stanley  Schell 179 

Kittens'  Fright  (Action  Poem) 113 

Kittens'  Promenade 74 

Kitten's  View  of  Life. — Thomas  Westwood 159 

Kitty  242 

Kitty  at  School. — Kate  Ulmer 208 

Kittycat  and  the  Milkman 202 

Kitty's  Lesson. — C.  Grace  Jerolamen 220 

Lament  of  a  Forsaken  Cat. — Elizabeth  Harcourt  Mitchell ...  41 

Land  on  Your  Feet. — Sam  Walter  Foss 158 

Language  of  Cats , 186 

Lincoln's  Motherless  Kittens. — Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender.  .  196 


6  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Little  Cat  Made  Fur  Fly 264 

Little  Kittens 71 

Little  Kitty  (Action  Poem ) 128 

Little  Pussy. — Taylor „ 121 

Little  Turncoats. — Georgia  A.  Peck 205 

Lost  Kitty 28 

Lost  Mittens  (Illustrated) 1 201 

Matthew  Arnold's  Cat,  Atossa 182 

Matilda  Martha  May. — Fannie  Rogers  White 106 

Me  an'  Bab. — Joy  Vetrepont 151 

Me  an'  Methuselar. — Harriet  Ford 161 

Mirror  Cat. — Oliver  Herford 30 

Mischievous  Cat. — Mrs.  E.  T.  Corbett 206 

Miss  Edith's  Modest  Request. — Bret  Harte. . 138 

Miss  Kitty  Manx  to  Sir  Thomas  Angora. — Mary  S.  Boyd. .  .    140 

Miss  Tabbycat's  Reception. — Elizabeth  L.  Gould 102 

Mistress  Kitty 96 

Model  Cat. — Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender 271 

Modest  Cat's  Soliloquy 29 

Mother  Gray  and  Her  Children  (Music) 172 

Mother  Tabbvskins 82 

My  Cat. — Charles  Baudelaire 115 

My  Cat  and  Dog. — Marori 200 

My  Kittens. — Olive  Stevens  Brown 104 

My  Little  Gray  Kitty  and  1 86 

My  Ol'  Black  Cat.— Flavia  Rosser 198 

My  Old  Gray  Cat  and  I. — Joe  Lincoln 136 

My  Pet  Cat 253 

My  Pussy   (Music — Illustrated) 214 

Naughty  Pussy 233 

Newsboy's  Cat ;  or,  the  Fam'ly  Man. — Mrs.  E.  T.  Corbett. .  .   213 

NobodyDid  It .' 88 

Nocturnal  Shot 81 

Object  of  Love. — Mary  E.  Wilkins 107 

Old  Nursery  Rhyme 7^ 


CONTENTS.  7 

PAGE 

Out  for  a  High  Time. — E.  Louise  Liddell 59 

Outing. — Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender 176 

Pace  That  Kills 75 

Partnership. — Margaret  Vandegrift 75 

Pet  and  Her  Cat 174 

Pins  in  Pussy's  Toes. — Harriet  Beecher  Stowe 40 

Poet's  Lamentation  for  Loss  of  His  Cat. — Joseph  Green.  . .  .   261 

Polly  Pry's  Kitten  (Action  Poem) 55 

Prince  of  Newfoundland;  or,  Only  a  Dog  and  a  Kitten. — 

Celia  Thaxter 141 

Puss  and  Her  Three  Kittens. — Tom  Hood 87 

Puss  in  Mischief  (Action  Poem) ; y6 

Pussy  and  the  Mice 118 

Pussy  at  School. — Louis  B.  Tisdale 171 

Pussy-Cat 164 

Pussy-Cat  and  Mouse  on  Thanksgiving 269 

Pussy  Gray's  Dinner 160 

Pussy  Willows .,...■ ■ ; 219 

Pussy's  Dream 93 

Pussy's  Vocal  Lesson 169 

Quousque  Tandem,  O  Catiline  ? — A.  L.  Frisbie 257 

Rash  Young  Mouse  (Action  Poem) 56 

Ready  for  Breakfast  (Illustrated) 101 

Retired  Cat. — William  Cowper 236 

Revenge  for  Poisoning  a  Cat 234 

Robin  Redbreast  and  Pussy-Cat 74 

Sad  Case. — Clara  D.  Bates 45 

Sandy  Jenkins's  Remarks  on  the  Black  Cat. — J.  D.  Corrothers     72 

Scarum  Cat. — Mary  Elizabeth  Stone 221 

Sea- Puss. — Kate  Upson  Clark 170 

Secret  Told  Pussie 80 

Social  Tea. — Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender 180 

Some  Cat  Traits 156 

Southey's  Cats  WTrite  Their  Master. — Robert  Southey 263 

Strange  Mouse,, , ,,,,,, ,-..,. 239 


S  CONTENTS. 

Sunday  Episode  (Illustrated). — Herbert  Randall 

Tatters,  the  Cat. — Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender <| 

That  Cat. — Ben  King j\ 

Three  Maidens  Fair. — Stanley  Schell 

Three  Naughty  Kittens. — Isabel  Frances  Bellows i6l 

Timid  Kitten. — Carolyn  Wells 5. 

Tom. — M.  T.  Hart 25. 

Tommie    1 1( I 

Toodlekins  and  Flip 265 

Tootsy  Wootsy. — Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender 13J 

Topsy 851 

Troll  Cat 222 1 

Turn  About 79 

Two  Gray  Kits  and  the  Gray  Kits'  Mother 71 

Two  Hearts  and  a  Kitten. — Mabel  Preece 203 

Two  Pussy-Cats. — Ella  Wheeler  Wilcox 105 

"Two's    Company,    Three's    None." — Mrs.    Frederick    W. 

Pender 52 

Ungrateful  Cat 259 

Walter  Savage  Landor's  Favorite  Cat,  Chinchinillo 134 

Warning  ( Music) 114 

Watch-Cat.— Elliot  Walker 248 

Way  You  Look  at  It 173 

We  Cats  (Action  Song) 60 

We've  Lost  Our  Job. — Stanley  Schell 262 

What  Became  of  the  Kitten  ? 175 

What  I  Want.— David  L.  Proudfit 258 

What  Puss  Thinks 33 

"When  the  Cat's  Away  the  Mice  Will  Play"  (Tableau:).— 

Mrs.  Mary  L.  Gaddess 167 

Where  Are  Those  Sleepy  Kittens  ?  (Action  Poem) 44 

Where  Have  You  Been  ? 73 

Where  Is  My  Kitty ?  (Action  Poem) , , 99 

Why  Cats  Wash  After  Eating. — Eva  J.  Beede 25 

Why  the  Cat  Always  Falls  upon  Her  Feet. — Louise  Jamison  211 


CONTENTS.  9 

PAGE 

Wisdom  233 

Wise  Mouse. — Mary  Raymond  Garretson 31 


Conundrums— 25,  119,   123,   125,  142,  156,  157,  177,  179,  183, 
193>  197>  l9%>  2°7>  2Io,  220,  227,  235,  251. 


AUTHORS. 


PAGE 

Bates,  Clara  Doty 45 

Baudelaire,  Charles 115 

Beede,  Eva  J 25 

Bellows,  Isabel  Frances.  . .    166 

Boyd,  Mary  S 140 

Brown,  Anna  Robeson.. .  .    129 

Brown,  Olive  Stevens 104 

Buckram,  James 246 

Campbell,  Jane 135 

Carlton,  Will  M 126 

Cassin,  Elizabeth  1 24 

Clark,  Kate  Upson 170 

Coolidge,  Susan 117 

Corbett,  Mrs.  E.  T 206,  213 

Corrothers,  J.  D 72,  124 

Cowper,  William 236 

Day  re,  Sydney 199 

Dumas,  Alexander 94 

Ewing,  Jennie  Pendleton..     92 

Field,  Eugene 143 

Ford,  Harriet 161 

Foss,  Sam  Walter 158 

Foster,  Edna  A 155 

Frisbie,  A.  L 257 

Gaddess,  Mrs.  Mary  L.. . .    167 

Garabraut,  Nellie  M 209 

Garretson,  Mary  Raymond     31 


PAGE 

Gould,  Elizabeth  L" 102 

Green,  Joseph 261 

Hammond,  Maria  J 241 

Hart,  M.  T 252 

Harte,  Bret 138 

Herford,  Oliver 30,  184 

Holway,  Grace  Bacon 35 

Hood,  Tom 87 

Hutcheson,  Helen  Thayer.  144 

Jamison,  Louise 211 

Jerolamen,  C.  Grace 220 

Jerome,  Jerome  K 46 

Jones,  Mrs.  Gertrude  M . .  27 

Jones,  Rosalie  M 20 

King,  Ben 78 

Kish,  A.  C 68 

Larcom,  Lucy 185 

Lawless,  Eve 34 

Liddell,  E.  Louise 59 

Lincoln,  Joe 136, 

Marori 200 

Mitchell,  Elizabeth  H 41 

Peck,  Georgia  A.  .......  .  205 

Pender,  Mrs.  Frederick  W. 
13,  52,  91,   120,   133, 

176,    180,     196,    230,  271 

Porter,  Eleanor  H. ...... .  188 


10 


AUTHORS. 


ii 


PAGE 

Preece,  Mabel 203 

Proudfit,  David  L 258 

Randall,  Herbert 70 

Rosser,  Flavia. 198 

Schell,    Stanley,    89,    153, 

179,    194,    224,    240,  262 

Southey,  Robert 263 

Stone,  Mary  Elizabeth. ...  221 

Stowe,  Harriet  Beecher.  . .  40 

Street,  L.  E 36 

Taylor 121 

Thaxter,  Celia 141 


PAGE 

Tisdale,  Louis  B 171 

Twain,  Mark 244 

Ulmer,  Kate 208 

Vandegrift,  Margaret.. 75,  254 

Vetrepont,  Joy 151 

Walker,  Elliot 248 

Wells,  Carolyn 58 

Westwood,  Thomas 159 

White,  Fannie  Rogers ....    106 

Wilcox,  Ella  Wheeler 105 

Wilkins,  Mary  E 107 

Wordsworth,  William.  . . .   122 


CATS'  AND  KITTENS'  OPENING  ADDRESS. 


KIND  audience,  we  wish  to  say  right  here, 
We're  only  play  cats  and  kittens  dear. 
('T would  be  absurd  for  cats  to  play 
This  entertainment,  their  parts  they  could  not  say), 
For  cats,  you  know,  can  only  "me-you," 
And  that  we  know  is  Greek  to  you. 
Then,  if  a  rat  should  chance  to  drop 
Upon  us,  why,  off  we'd  pop! 
All  this  I  tell  you  for  your  sake, 
For  fear  you'd  make  a  grave  mistake, 
And  think  that  we  real  catties  were. 
I  therefore  ask  you  to  suppose 
That  we  are  dressed  up  in  cats'  clothes. 

[All  bow,  then  all  together  give  the  following  calls  as  they 
back  to  stage  back  and  exit.] 


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13 


Werner's 
Readings  and  Recitations 

No.  35. 

Copyright,  1906,  by  Edgar  S.  Werner. 

TOOTSY   WOOTSY. 

POEM,    LESSON-TALK    AND     PANTOMIME,     BY     MRS.     FREDERICK     W. 

PENDER. 


POSES   BY   BABY   ELOCUTIONIST  VIRGINIA   BELL  (z  YEARS   OLD) 
AND   KITTEN   TOOTSY   WOOTSY    (4   MONTHS   OLD). 


Photographs  by  Jacques    Joel,  New  York. 


Copyright,  1906,  by  Edgar  S.  Werner. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book 


SEE,  Tootsy  Wootsy  be's  m'  tat, 
An'  her  as  tunnin'  as  tan  be ; 
She  am  ner  bigger  den  m'  han', 
An's  dot  der  bites'  eyes  oo'  see. 

All  fluffy  wuffy  be's  her  toat, 

An'  say,  her  face,  it's  orsel  wise; 

I  spec's  some  day  'at  she'll  dit 
Der  firstes',  bestes'  tind  oo'  prize. 

She  puts  her  'ittle  velvet  paws 
Wite  up  ter  me  ser  dem  I'll  shake ; 

An'  ef  she  be's  des  fas'  ersleep, 
I  nezzer  ties  fer  her  ter  wake. 


14  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

I  'dopt  her  fer  m'  owners'  tat, 
An'  dot  fer  her  der  nices'  house, 

Were  she  do  stay  w'en  nite  am  turn 
Ser  still  an'  twiet  as  er  mouse. 

She  ain't  ner  tommon  tind  o'  tat, 
She  am  Andora,  yes,  she  be; 

An'  w'en  I  smooth  her  back  an'  tail, 
Her  winks,  an'  purrs,  an'  p'ays  wiv  me. 

An'  nen  I  buy  (now  doan  yo'  laff), 
Er  sing  ner  uzzer  titten's  dot, 

Er  nussin'  bottle,  wiv  er  mouf 

F'um  w'ich  she  dinks  her  milk  w'en  hot. 

Oh !  she  do  be  ser  very  nice, 

I  hopes  she  nezzer  wuns  erway ; 
"Fer  ef  she  do,  I  tannot  tell 

Wat  I  'oud  do,  or  sink,  or  say. 

Maybe,  I  mite  dess  tazy  dit, 
Ef  f'um  nv  titten  I  did  part; 

So,  Tootsy,  darlin' !  oo'  stay  here, 
Fer  ef  ver  don'  vo'  bwake  m'  heart. 


[Some  people  do  not  care  to  teach  children  dialect,  so  we  print  the 
poem  "  Tootsy  Wootsy  "  in  ordinary  English.  The  same  lesson-talk  applies 
to  both  forms  of  the  poem.] 

TOOTSY  WOOTSY. 


SEE,  Tootsy  Wootsy  is  my  cat, 
And  she's  as  cunning  as  can  be ; 
She  is  no  bigger  than  my  hand, 
And  has  the  brightest  eyes  you  see. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  15 

All  fluffy  wuffy  is  her  coat, 

And  see,  her  face,  it's  very  wise; 
I  expect  some  day  that  she'll  get 

The  first  and  only  kind  of  prize. 

She  puts  her  little  velvet  paws 

Right  up  to  me  so  them  I'll  shake; 
And  if  she  is  just  fast  asleep, 

I  never  cry  for  her  to  wake. 

I  take  her  for  my  very  own 

And  have  for  her  the  nicest  house, 
Where  she  can  stay  when  night  is  come 

As  still  and  quiet  as  a  mouse. 

She's  not  a  common  kind  of  cat, 

She  is  Angora,  yes,  she  is ; 
And  when  I  smooth  her  back  and  tail, 

She  winks,  and  purrs,  and  plays  with  me. 

And  then  I  buy  (now  don't  you  laugh) 

A  thing  no  other  kitten's  got, 
A  nursing-bottle,  with  a  mouth 

From  which  she  drinks  her  milk  when  hot. 


Oh !  she  is  really  very  nice, 
I  hope  she'll  never  run  away; 

For  if  she  does,  I  cannot  tell 

What  I  would  do,  or  think,  or  say. 

Maybe,  I  might  just  crazy  get, 

If  from  my  kitten  I  did  part; 
So,  Tootsy,  darling!  you  stay  here, 

For  if  you  don't,  you'll  break  my  heart. 


36  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

FOREWORD. 


AS  soon  as  a  little  tot  in  lisping  accents  can  pronounce  words 
sufficiently  well  to  form  sentences,  it  often  becomes  a  proud 
mother's  ambition  to  teach  her  nursery  rhymes ;  and  baby  is  called 
on  to  surprise  her  fond  papa,  or  maybe  her  doting  grandparents, 
with  a  display  of  her  wonderful  elocutionary  talent.  But  when 
the  darling  entertains  a  number  of  her  mama's  dearest  friends  in 
the  drawing-room,  or,  better  still,  when  she  makes  her  debut  at 
the  Sunday-school  social,  and  receives  plaudits  for  her  little  reci- 
tation delivered  in  bird-like  tones,  it  is  then  that  the  mother's 
heart  reaches  its  zenith  of  happiness.  "Tootsy  Wootsy"  has  been 
arranged  and  posed  especially  for  children  from  three  to  six  years 
of  age. 

Points. — Before  the  child  recites,  place  a  small  stool  or  chair 
a  little  to  right  of  center  of  platform.  On  left  side  there  should  be 
a  small  table  or  stand ;  a  little  way  from  this,  lying  on  floor  with 
cover  off,  should  be  kitten's  basket  with  a  tiny  nursing-bottle 
filled  with  milk.  Care  should  be  taken  not  to  have  these  articles 
arranged  in  set  manner,  but  rather  with  play-room  or  nursery 
effect.     The  younger  the  kitten,  the  easier  handled  by  a  child. 


LESSON-TALK  ON  "TOOTSY  WOOTSY." 


"See,  Tootsy  Wootsy  bc's  m'  tat, 
An'  her  as  tunnin'  as  tan  be." 

Picture  I. — Advance  on  platform  carrying  pet  kitten  in  arms  in 
regular  childish  fashion ;  pause,  throw  weight  of  body  evenly 
upon  both  feet ;  face  expressing  joy  and  pride ;  and  in  pleas- 
ing tones  explain  who  "Tootsy  Wootsy"  is  and  how  "tun- 
nin  . 

"She  am  ner  bigger  den  m'  han' , 

An's  dot  der  bites'  exes  oo'  see." 


Picture  II. 
"I  spec's  some  day  'at  she'll  dit 
Der  firstes',  bestes'  tind  oo'  prize." 


Picture  III. 
"She   puts   her   'ittle   velvet   paws 
Wite  up   tcr  me   ser  dem  I'll  shake. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  17 

Descriptive  Pose. — Smile,  hold  kitten  out  in  front  of  you  for 
admiration  of  audience ;  seat  yourself  on  floor,  wind  one  arm 
and  hand  around  kitten,  while  holding  up  other  arm  with 
fingers  of  hand  extended,  as  though  to  illustrate  what  you 
think  is  correct  size  of  her  tail;  facial  expression  brightens 
as  head  is  slightly  bowed,  when  gazing  at  beauty  of  kitten's 
eyes. 

"All  Huffy  wuffy  he's  her  toat, 
An'  say,  her  face,  it's  orsel  wise." 

Descriptive  Pose. — Still  seated,  run  one  hand  over  and  through 
kitten's  fur ;  hold  kitten  up  a  little  and  rub  your  cheek  against 
its  soft  body ;  glancing  alternately  at  kitten,  then  at  her 
friends.  Words  requiring  emphasis  are  "fluffy,"  "wuffy," 
"toat"  and  "it's  orsel  wise." 

"I  spec's  some  day  'at  she'll  dit 
Der  Hrstes',  bestes'  tind  00'  prize." 

Picture  II. — Still  seated,  hug  kitten  closely  to  breast,  and  show 
by  look  that  you  have  no  doubt  of  kitten's  receiving  "firstes', 
bestes'  tind  00'  prize."  Words  that  are  emphatic  are  "some 
day,"  "she,"  and  the  entire  second  line, 

"She  puts  her  'ittle  velvet  paws 
Wife  up  ter  me  ser  dem  I'll  shake." 

Picture  III. — Put  right  arm  around  kitten ;  both  hands  clasp 
kitten's  paws ;  while  you  glance  up  obliquely  with  earnest 
tone  and  recite  the  lines.  Special  emphasis  on  "wite  up  ter 
me"  as  though  it  were  something  unusual  for  a  kitten  to  do 
such  a  thing. 

"An'  ef  she  he's  fas'  cr sleep, 
I  nezzer  ties  fer  her  ter  wake." 


ig  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

Descriptive  Pose. — Serious  tone  and  expression  of  face  and 
eyes;  prolong  "des  fas'  ersleep;"  accompany  "I  nezzer  ties" 
with  movement  of  head  from  right  to  left  to  make  more  em- 
phatic. 

"I  'dopt  her  fer  m'  ozvnes'  tat, 
An'  dot  fer  her  der  nices'  house." 

Picture  IV. — Rise,  advance  to  where  basket  is  lying ;  place  kitten 
in  it ;  put  basket  with  contents  on  stand ;  bow  head,  resting 
it  lightly  on  kitten ;  hands  clasp  sides  of  basket ;  face  express- 
ing happiness. 

"Where  she  do  stay  w'en  nite  am  turn 
Ser  still  an'  twiet  as  er  mouse." 

Picture  V. — Place  cover  of  basket  over  kitten,  leaving  head  ex- 
posed to  view ;  then  sit  in  chair,  feet  crossed,  and  hold  kitten 
in  basket,  for  audience  to  gaze  at.  Show  dignified  tone  and 
manner  when  reciting;  tone  softens  and  voice  grows  lighter 
on  "still  an'  twiet  as  er  mouse." 

"She  ain't  ner  tommon  tind  o'  tat, 
She  am  Andora,  yes  she  be." 

Picture  VI. — Remove  cover  from  basket,  which  still  contains 
kitten ;  place  cover  to  one  side.  Clasp  with  left  hand  kitten's 
collar  in  the  back.  Cling  with  right  hand  to  edge  of  stand, 
feet  in  natural  childish  position ;  body  slightly  inclined  in  sort 
of  protecting  manner  over  loved  treasure,  and  with  look  and 
tone  of  disdain  and  strongest  emphasis  say  that  your  kitten 
"ain't  ner  tommon  tind  o'  tat ;"  give  its  breed,  laying  special 
stress  on  "Andora,"  and  "yes,  she  be;"  decided  nod  of  head 
in  affirmative  on  last  three  words. 

"An'  w'en  I  smooth  her  back  an   tail, 
Her  tvinks,  an'  purrs,  an   p'ays  wiv  me." 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  19 

Descriptive  Pose. — Continue  dignified  tone  through  first  line ; 
expression  softens  on  second  line ;  suggestion  of  smile.  Em- 
phasize "winks,"  "purrs,"  "p'ays  wiv  me." 

"An   nen  I  buy  (nozv  doan  yo'  laff) 
Er  sing  ner  uzzer  tittcn's  dot." 

Descriptive  Pose. — Take  kitten  from  basket ;  resume  your  seat 
in  chair;  face  should  glow  with  pride  and  pleasure  when 
thinking  what  you  have  for  your  kitten ;  for  a  moment  the 
thought  comes  that  when  your  friends  learn  what  it  is,  they 
will  make  sport  of  you.  With  pathetic  face  beg  them  not  to 
"laff."  Again  assuming  bright  facial  expression  and  giving 
marked  stress  to  the  words,  assure  them  that  it  is — "Er  sing 
ner  uzzer  titten's  dot,"  and  describe  it  as 

"Er  nussin -bottle,  wiv  er  mouf 

F'um  w'ich  she  dinks  her  milk  w'en  hot." 

Picture  VII. — Bend  forward,  clasp  kitten  with  left  hand,  and 
proceed  to  give  kitten  milk  from  bottle  that  you  take  from 
basket. 

"Oh!  she  do  be  ser  very  nice, 
I  hopes  she  nezzer  umns  erway." 

Picture  VIII. — Rise,  place  cat  in  basket  on  stand,  keep  side  of 
your  body  toward  audience;  continue  to  offer  kitten  milk 
as  you  recite  the  lines.  Emphasize  "very  nice,"  "nezzer," 
and  "wuns  erway." 

"Fer  cf  she  do,  I  tan  not  tell 
Wat  I  'oud  do,  or  sink,  or  say." 

Descriptive  Posk. — Your  fear  of  losing  kitten  should  be  express- 
ed very  vividly.  Place  nursing-bottle  in  basket.  Lovingly 
take  kitten  out  of  basket.     Put  right  hand  to  your  eye  as  if  to 


20  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

check  a  tear ;  left  arm  and  hand  encircle  kitten ;  general  ap- 
pearance of  childish  sorrow. 

"May  be,  I  mite  dess  tazy  dit, 
Ef  f'um  m   tittcn  I  did  part;" 

Picture  IX. — In  your  great  fondness  for  the  kitten,  you  fear  that 
you  may  lose  it  after  all.  Sit  in  chair,  place  cat  on  stand, 
holding  its  collar  tightly  with  left  hand.  To  illustrate  still 
more  clearly  how  you  would  mourn,  should  such  a  catas- 
trophe befall  you,  when  reciting  how  she  "mite  tazy  dit," 
place  right  hand  on  your  face  and  give  deep  sigh  and  expres- 
sion of  intense  suffering. 

"So,  Tootsy,  darliri '!  Oo'  stay  here, 
Fer  cf  ycr  don' ,  yo'  bivake  m'  heart." 

Descriptive  Pose. — Take  kitten,  hug  it  closely,  and  in  above  lines 
beg  it  not  to  leave  you.  Strong  emphasis  on  "yo'  bwake  mi' 
heart."  Then,  carrying  kitten  under  right  arm,  and  basket 
containing  nursing-bottle  in  left  hand,  smile  sadly  to  audi- 
ence and  leave  platform. 


HOMELIEST  CAT  AT  THE  SHOW. 


Rosalie  M.  Jones. 


i  (  T_T  I !     Hit  her  again  !     She's  ugly  enough  to  stop  a  clock." 

11  "You  let  her  'lone,"  screamed  a  small  voice  from  the  top 
story  of  a  towering  rear  tenement,  but  alas,  it  fell  far  short  of  the 
depths,  way,  way,  below  where  the  cruel  boys  were  tormenting 
the  poor  kitty. 

Then  the  active  little  figure  belonging  to  the  voice  hurriedly 
left  the  window  above  and  racing  down  stairs,  three  steps  at  a 
jump,  burst  violently  into  their  midst,  caught  their  trembling  little 
victim  to  her  breast,  and  with  no  weapons  but  a  flushed  face  and 
two  big  tearful  eyes,  turned  defiantly  to  brave  the  cowards. 
"Say,  fellers,  catch  on  ter  de  young  defender," 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  21 

"Yer  wanter  send  her  ter  de  cat  show,  see.  She'll  git  a  prize,  I 
don't  tink." 

With  a  look  of  contempt  which  stung  even  the  most  hardened 
of  them,  Maysie  turned  away  with  her  suffering  burden 
and  re-entered  the  house. 

''For  goodness  sake!  What's  that  you've  got  now?"  asked 
a  tired  looking  woman,  as  she  saw  her  small  daughter  come  pant- 
ing into  the  kitchen,  clutching  something  by  the  legs. 

"Jus'  a  kitty." 

"Well,  I  never  did!  Why,  Marg'rCt  Williams,  are  you  crazy? 
I  never  saw  such  a  homely  creature  in  all  my  born  days ;  it'll  bring 
us  bad  luck,  sure,  with  that  wicked  green  eye  and  that  mean  yeller 
one — ugh !  You  just  take  it  straight  back  to  the  gutter  you  fished 
it  out  of." 

At  this  Maysie  began  to  cry;  sobbing  out  the  story  of  its  ill 
treatment. 

"Oh.  well,- 1  reckon  we'll  keep  her  till  she's  cured  up,  anyway." 

So  Maysie  kept  her  cat,  and  pity  blossomed  so  quickly  into  love 
that  she  was  perfectly  blind  to  its  ugliness  and  fondly  fancied  it 
the  dearest,  sweetest  and  loveliest  kitty  in  all  the  world. 

On  the  next  Sunday,  Mrs.  Williams  read  out  from  her  great 
big  newspaper :      "A  National  Cat  Show  at  Madison  Square." 

"What's  a  National  Cat  Show?"  asked  Maysie,  who  was  sit- 
ting playing  with  Rags,  as  she  called  her  foundling. 

"Why  it's — it's  a  show  of  cats,  I  suppose,  and  it's  to  be  held 
next  Wednesday  in  Madison  Square  Garden." 

"Oh,  yes,  that  must  be  where  that  bad  boy  in  the  street  told 
me  to  send  Rags,  but  I  thought,  o'  course,  he  was  just  foolin' ;  he 

said,  maybe  I'd  get  a  prize  for  her.     Do  you do  you  think  I 

might,  mother?" 

Mrs.  Williams  hid  a  smile  behind  her  newspaper,  as  she  read 
of  the  gorgeous  Angora,  Maltese,  Persian  and  other  rare  and 
beautiful  cats  that  were  to  be  exhibited  by  the  richest  and  most 
fashionable  ladies  in  New  York,  but  she  only  answered:  "I 
shouldn't  wonder." 

This  was  enough.     In  the  course  of  ten  seconds,  Maysie  had  de- 


22  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

cided  in  her  own  mind  that  she  would  take  Rags  to  the  show,  and 
that  there  was  not  the  slightest  use  of  worrying  her  poor,  tired 
mother  about  it  beforehand  and  spoiling  the  delightful  "s'prise." 
Early  Wednesday  morning  Mrs.  Williams  started  for  her  day's 
work.  Maysie,  when  left  alone,  fairly  raced  the  breakfast  dishes 
around  her  dishpan,  over  the  towel  and  up  again  on  the  shelf. 
Then  she  slipped  into  a  nice  little  fresh  calico  dress,  tied  a  new 
red  ribbon  around  Rags's  neck  in  a  fantastic  bow,  which,  however, 
would  slide  around  under  her  chewed-off  ear,  then  cramming  her 
into  the  market-basket,  she  set  off  with  a  light  heart. 

She  was  too  early  to  be  admitted,  and  so  had  to  stand  and  wait 
near  the  side  door  marked  "Entrance  for  Cats." 

At  last  a  carriage  drove  up  to  the  great  front  door  of  the  build- 
ing and  a  lady  descended  from  it,  followed  by  a  maid  in  a  white 
cap,  carrying  a  basket.  She  was  such  a  pretty  lady  and  so  beauti- 
fully dressed,  that  Maysie  liked  her  on  the  spot,  and  thought  that 
it  would  only  be  kind  to  inform  her  that  she  was  not  at  the  right 
entrance  for  cats  and  must  wait  at  the  side  door  with  her. 

The  lady  smiled  when  she  told  her,  and  she  said :  ."Oh,  thank 
you,  you're  very  good ;  I  see  you  have  a  cat,  too !  Is  it  to  be  in 
the  show?" 

"Oh,. yes,  don't  you  think  she'll  get  a  prize?" 
"Pro — probably,"  said  the  lady,  turning  away  for  an  instant  and 
shaking  so  strangely  that  Maysie  thought  she  was  cold. 

"Had'nt  I  better  ask  the  other  lady  to  bring  you  a  shawl  or 
sumpin'  out  of  your  carriage?" 

"No,  thank  you,  I'm  quite  well.  Suppose  we  go  into  the  show 
together?" 

"Why,  we  can't,  can  we.     It  ain't  open  yet,  is  it?" 
"Not  to  every  one,  but  I   am  one  of  the  patronesses,  and  I 
fancy  they  will  let  us  in."     And  sure  enough  they  did. 

"Here  is  a  little  girl  who  has  a  cat  she  would  like  to  exhibit," 
said  the  lady  to  a  gentle-looking  man  inside,  who  seemed  to  be 
managing  everything.  I  know  it's  rather  late  to  enter  it,  but — " 
and  she  whispered  something  which  made  him  smile  and  look 
almost  as  queerly  at  Maysie  as  the  lady  had  done. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  23 

However,  he  gave  Rags  a  nice  cage,  with  soft  straw  in  it,  and 
a  little  medal  with  a  number  on  it  to  hang  around  her  neck  by  a 
scarlet  ribbon. 

"Now,  you  had  better  go  up  stairs  and  wait,"  he  said ;  "they 
won't  be  on  for  an  hour  yet,  and  the  judges  cannot  award  the 
prizes  until  then." 

Maysie  did  not  understand  very  clearly  what  he  meant,  but  she 
was  a  trustful  little  soul,  and  so  left  Rags  with  him  and  climbed 
the  stairs  to  a  little  waiting-room  above. 

After  awhile  the  lady  joined  her  saying,  "Come,  we  can  go  in 
now." 

Pale  with  excitement,  Maysie  accepted  the  hand  held  out  to  her, 
and  grasping  it  tightly,  entered  the  great  exhibition.  Oh,  wasn't 
it  beautiful !  All  lit  up  with  'lectric  light !  Row  after  row  of 
cages  crossed  the  floor,  in  each  one  of  which  blinked  and  stretched 
and  softly  purred  a  lovely,  lovely  kitty. 

They  kept  getting  more  and  more  wonderful  and  beautiful  as 
Maysie  and  the  lady  went  on  and  on,  but  in  her  royal  little  soul, 
Rags's  mistress  would  not  admit  that  any  one  of  them  was  prettier 
or  sweeter,  or  half  as  clever  as  Rags. 

No,  not  even  that  grandest,  showiest  Angora,  lying  upon  a 
rose-colored  velvet  cushion  with  exquisite  pink  roses  in  cut-glass 
bowls  around  her,  and  a  tiny  canary  bird  singing  away  blissfully 
in  the  same  cage. 

"You  know,  Rags  ain't  never  seen  a  bird,  lessen  it's  a  sparrer, 
and  she  ain't  never  smelt  a  flower  in  all  her  life,  so  wouldn't  you 
think  they'd  give  her  a  prize  jus'  to  keep  her  from  feelin' 
bad?" 

"Yes,  I  would  indeed.     There  are  the  judges  and  they  are  com- 
ing from  the  other  side  of  the  room.     Now,  we  will  go  over  there 
-  and  look  for  Rags,  and  if  they  have  given  her  a  prize,  it  will  be 
written  upon  a  card  and  hung  on  her  cage,  where  we  can  see  it 
in  an  instant." 

"Oh,  my,  do  you  suppose  everybody  what's  got  a  cat  here  feels 
like  I  do  now?" 

"I  hardly  think  so  much  so,  dear." 


24  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

At  last  they  stood  before  Rags's  cage.  Maysie  put  both  hands 
over  her  eyes  and  peeped  fearfully  through  her  fingers. 

"Oh  !     Oh  !     I  believe  I  see  a  card." 

"Yes,  you  do." 

"What's  on  it ?     Oh!     What  is  on  it?" 

"P-r-i-z-e,  prize !"  read  the  lady. 

"Ten  dollars  prize  for  the  ug —  for  Rags." 

"My,"  said  Maysie,  and  she  burst  into  tears  of  pure  joy. 

The  lady  kissed  her  warmly,  dried  her  eyes  and  placed  the 
bowl  of  roses  right  under  Rags's  funny  little  nose. 

Then  the  great,  severe  looking  judges  came  up  and  congratu- 
lated her,  and  counted  out  into  her  two  little  hands  all  the  heap 
of  money  that  was  the  prize. 

"And  now,"  said  the  lady,  "I  will  drive  you  home." 

So  she  did,  and  didn't  all  the  children  in  the  neighborhood  run 
off  to  see  who  was  getting  out  of  the  fine  carriage  that  stopped 
before  the  tenement,  and  wern't  they  surprised  to  find  it  was  just 
Maysie?  And  didn't  Mrs.  Williams  laugh  and  cry  and  scold  and 
pet  her  all  at  once  when  she  heard  the  great  news  ? 

"Dear,  dear,  what  a  jewel  Rags  is." 

"Yes,"  said  her  mother,  "who'd  have  thought  she'd  have  brought 
us  such  good  luck  by  her  very  homeliness?" 

"Homely  ?     Why,  mother,  you  forget,  she's  got  a  prize." 

"So  I  did,"  said  Mrs.  Williams,  "so  I  did,  of  course." 


DIFFERENCES  BETWEEN  CAT  AND  DOG. 


Elizabeth  I.  Cassin. 


CATS  see  their  prey,  and  catch  it  by  creeping  slyly  up  to  it. 
Dogs  smell  their  prey,  and  catch  it  by  running  it  down. 
Cats  must  therefore  have  good  eyes  and  be  able  to  move  very 
softly,  while  dogs  must  have  strong  scent  and  be  able  to  go  fast 
and  far. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  2$ 


WHY  CATS  WASH  AFTER  EATING. 


Eva  J.  Bf.ede. 


YOU  may  have  noticed,  little  friends, 
That  cats  don't  wash  their  faces 
Before  they  eat,  as  children  do, 
In  all  good  Christian  places. 

Well,  years  ago,  a  famous  cat, 

The  pangs  of  hunger  feeling, 
Had  chanced  to  catch   a  fine  young  mouse 

Who  said,  as  he  ceased  squealing, 

"All  genteel  folks  their  faces  wash 

Before  they  think  of  eating!" 
And,   wishing  to  be  thought  well-bred, 

Puss  heeded  his  entreating. 

But  when  she  raised  her  paw  to  wash 

Chance  for  escape  affording, 
The  sly  young  mouse  said  his  good-bye,    - 

Without  respect  to  wording. 

A  feline  council  met  that  day, 
And  passed,  in  solemn  meeting, 

A  law  forbidding  any  cat 
To  wash  till  after  eating. 


A  kitten  looked  up  with  a  sanctified  grin, 
Singing  "Birdie,  nice  birdie,  sweet  birdie." 

WThen  the  robin  descended  she  gobbled  him  in, 
Singing  "Birdie,  nice  birdie,  sweet  birdie," 


te6  CATS   AND   KITTENS.  ' 

THE  CATS'  TEA  PARTY. 


Action  Poem. 


1Y~?OUR  little  pussy-cats,  invited  out  to  tea, 
1    Cried  :    "Mother,  let  us  go.   Oh,  do !  2for  good  we'll  surely  be, 
3We'll  wear  our  bibs  and  hold  4our  things  as  you  have  shown  us 

how — 
Spoons  in  right  paws,  cups  as  well,  and  5make  a  pretty  bow ; 
We'll  always  say  'Yes,  if  you  please,'  and  'Only  half  of  that'  " 
"Then  go,  my  darling  children,"  said  the  happy  Mother  Cat. 

6The  four  little  pussy-cats  went  out  that  night  to  tea, 

'Their  heads  were  smooth  and  glossy,  their  tails  were  swinging 

free ; 
They  held  their   things  as   they   had   learned,   and   tried   to   be 

polite ; — 
8With  snowy  bibs  beneath  their  chins  they  were  a  pretty  sight. 
But,  alas  for  manners  beautiful,  9and  coats  as  soft  as  silk ! 
The  moment  that  the  little  kits  were  asked  to  take  some  milk, 

10They  dropped  their  spoons,  forgot  to  bow,  and — oh,  what  do  you 

think  ? 
They  put  their  noses  in  the  cups  and  all  began  to  drink! 
Yes,  every  naughty  little  kit  set  up  a  miou  for  more, 
Then  knocked  the  tea-cups  over,   "and  scampered  through  the 

door. 

DIRECTIONS. 

^tand  erect,  hands  by  side.  6Let  children  take  hold  of  hands  as 
2Fold   arms   and   look  very   implor-  if  to  go  out. 

ingly.  'Smooth  hair. 

'Place  pinafores   to  imitate  bibs  by  "Point  to  chins. 

raising  the  bottom  and  placing  "Point  to  coats  or  pinafores. 

it  around  neck.  10Look  very  sorrowful. 

*Place  fingers  as  if  to  lift  a  cup  to  "Raise  hands  and  throw  them  both 

mouth.  forward  toward  door, 

'Make  a  bow. 


CATS  AND  KITTENS,  27 


A  CAT'S  BIRTHDAY  CELEBRATION. 


Mrs.  Gertrude  Manly  Jones. 


A   KITTY  named  Pollie — just  over  the  way — 
Gave  a  party  last  week  on  her  second  birthday. 
It  was — so  I've  heard — quite  a  stylish  affair, 
For  the  cat  elite  of  the  village  was  there. 
For  a  week  the  party  was  meowed  about, 
After  the  neat  invitations  were  out ; 
"What  shall  I  wear?"  was  a  question  oft  asked, 
And  for  some  little  time  the  kitties  harassed; 
At  last  they  decided,  without  a  demur, 
That  because  of  cool  weather,  they'd  all  dress  in  fur. 
In  the  meanwhile,  Pollie  was  burdened  with  care 
To  get  up  a  fine  supper,  and  nice  bill  of  fare. 
There  were  grasshopper  croquets  and  truffles  to  make  ; 
A  lot  of  fat  lizzards  to  stuff  and  to  bake ; 
There  were  mice,  to  be  fricasseed,  parboiled  and  stewed, 
And  strong  catnip  bouillon,  and  punch  to  be  brewed — 
Oh,  my !     Was  there  ever  before  a  gray  cat 
Who  had  such  a  weight  on  her  shoulders  as  that  ? 
But  at  last  the  eventful  evening  came  'round, 
And  everything  was  quite  in  readiness  found. 
In  the  old  kitchen  garden  the  table  was  set, 
And  a  funnier  table  you  never  saw  yet ; 
The  tea  cups  were  egg  shells ;  and  turnip  green  plates 
Were  loaded  with  savory  messes  and  baits ; 
A  large  rutabaga  was  hollowed  out  clean, 
And  made  quite  an  excellent  bouillon  tureen ; 
The  table  was  trimmed  up  with  beet  leaves  and  mint, 
And  festoons  of  parsely  were  used  without  stint. 
As  the  clock  struck  midnight,  the  guests  all  poured  in. 
And  vou  never  did  hear  such  a  horrible  din ! 


28  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

The  old  cornstalk  fiddles  set  up  a  full  blast, 

And  partners  for  quadrilles  were  taken  up  fast. 

How  the  feet  and  the  tails  did  fly  in  the  air ! 

How  the  sparks  glinted  off  from  the  soft  glossy  hair ! 

Some  cats  promenaded ;  others,  played  the  coquette, 

While  a  pair  on  the  fencetop  struck  up  a  duet; 

The  ball  had  now  reached  its  dizziest  height, 

When  from  a  near  cottage,  there  flashed  a  bright  light ; 

A  window  was  hastily  raised  with  a  bang, 

And  a  pistol-shot  out  through  the  old  garden  rang. 

I  tell  you  the  sound  of  that  ringing  report 

Put  an  end  to  the  dancing,  the  singing  and  sport. 

The  beaux — why,  they  went  just  tearing  off  home, 

And  left  the  young  kitties  to  come  on  alone. 

Kittie  Pollie  was  very  much  chagrined  about 

The  way  her  grand  entertainment  turned  out, 

And  although  she  certainly  was  not  to  blame, 

She  declares  she  will  never  give  parties  again. 


THE  LOST  KITTY. 


HAVE  any  of  you  seen  my  kitty ?  I  have  hunted  all  over  the 
house  for  her  and  I  can't  find  her  anywhere.  She's  not 
under  the  stove  nor  up  in  my  bed,  and  I  don't  know  what  to  do. 
Won't  you  help  me  look  for  her?  She  is  a  gray  kitty,  with  a 
white  spot  between  her  eyes.  You  will  know  her  by  that.  Her 
name  is  Spot,  and  she  knows  it  just  as  well  as  I  know  my  name. 
When  I  have  a  saucer  of  milk  for  her,  and  call,  "Here,  Spot, 
Spot,  Spot!"  she  runs  as  fast  as  her  little  feet  can  trot.  Oh,  dear, 
where  are  you,  kitty?  I  wish  I  could  find  you.  I  hope  no  big, 
bad  boy,  or  naughty  little  girl  has  carried  you  away.  Hark ! 
What  is  that?  "Meow,  meow,  meow."  Why,  there  she  is,  now, 
on  the  window-sill.  Just  wait,  my  precious,  darling  old  kitty,  until 
I  get  you  in  my  arms ! 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  2$ 

A  MODEST  CAT'S  SOLILOQUY. 


Oil,  what  a  grand  and  glorious  thing  it  is  to  be  a  cat ! 
Yes,  every  clay  I  live,  I  grow  more  positive  of  that. 
For  all  the  great,  big  busy  world,  as  is  quite  right  and  meet ! 
Comes  humbly  every  day  to  lay  its  tribute  at  my  feet ; 
Far  down  within  the  damp,  dark  earth  the  grimy  miner  goes, 
That  I  on  chilly  nights  may  have  a  fire  for  my  toes ; 
Brave  sailors  plow  the  wintry  main,  through  peril  and  mishap, 
That  I,  on  Oriental  rugs,  may  take  my  morning  nap. 

Out  in  the  distant  meadow  meekly  graze  the  lowing  kine, 
That  milk,  in  endless  saucerfuls,  all  foaming,  may  be  mine ; 

The  fish  that  swim  the  ocean,  and,  the  birds  that  fill  the  air — 
Did  I  not  like  their  bones  to  pick,  pray,  think  you  they'd  be  there? 
But  first,  of  all  who  wait  on  me,  preeminent  is  man ; 
For  me  he  toils  through  all  the  day,  and  through  the  night  doth 

plan; 
Especially  the  gentleman  who  keeps  this  house  for  me, 
And  takes  such,  thoughtful,  anxious  care,  that  I  should  suited  be. 

He's  stocked  his  rare  old  attic  with  the  finest  breed  of  mice, 
A  little  hunting,  now  and  then,  comes  in  so  very  nice. 

And  furthermore,  the  thoughtful  .man,  a  wife  has  married  him, 
To  tidy  up  the  house  for  me,  and  keep  it  neat  and  trim ; 

And  both  of  them  with  deference  my  slightest  fancy  treat, 
And  as  I'm  quite  fastidious  about  the  things  T  eat, 

They  never  offer  me  a  dish,  to  please  my  appetite, 
Until  they've  tasted  it  themselves,  to  see  if  all  is  right; 

And  to  entice  my  palate,  when  it's  cloyed  with  other  things, 
All  fattening  in  a  gilded  cage,  a  choice  canary  swings. 

But,  best  of  all  they're  training  up,  with  pains  that  can't  be  told, 
Their  children,  just  to  wait  on  me,  when  they  have  grown  too  old. 


30  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

Oh,  truly  I  am  monarchess  of  all  that  I  survey ; 
No  rules  or  laws  I  recognize,  no  bells  or  calls  obey. 

I  eat  and  sleep,  and  sleep  and  eat,  nor  ever  have  I  toiled ; 
No  kind  of  base,  degrading-  work  my  paws  has  ever  soiled. 

Oh,  truly  'tis  a  gladsome  thing  to  be  a  pussy-cat ! 

I'm  truly  glad,  when  I  was  born,  I  stopped  to  think  of  that. 


A  MIRROR  CAT. 


Oliver  Herford. 


I  REALLY  wish  you'd  all  sit  still, 
And  try  to  hear  a  curious  tale 
That  happened  just  the  other  day. 
There  is  another  yellow  cat 
Who  sits  behind  a  golden  frame, 
And  looks  so  very  much  like  me 
You'd  think  that  we  were  just  the  same. 
Yet,  when  I  mew  aloud  or  call,    . 
She  moves  her  mouth  again  to  me, 
But  makes  no  sound  at  all. 
And  to  the  dullest  kitten 
It's  plain  enough  to  see 
That  either  I  am  mocking  her, 
Or  she  is  mocking  me. 
It  makes  no  difference  what  I  play, 
She  seems  to  know  the  game ; 
'  For  every  time  I  look  around 
I  see  her  do  the  same. 
And  yet  no  matter  though  I  creep 
On  tiptoe  lest  she  hear, 
Or  quickly  dash  behind  the  frame, 
She's  sure  to  disappear. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS. 


-urred   tne     CsJ, 
_    'Pretty    Mouse,  come 
out    of    the    weJI, 
And    rrmke  me  "this    evening,  &  neighh°rjy  cell: 
Then  into  the    cupboard,  we^]|  quietly    creep, 
To  stesJ   breads  &r\&       while  "the  tcxmily 

cheese,-      \j£s&j&-*- ^     sleep"  "^ 


•gfcf 


NotKanKs,  T&hky  deer"  squealed  old  Mrs  Mouse, 

I'll   remain  in  my  h°le,  while  you're  in  Ihe  house: 

Onyur  cf°°d  behovi°p  I  dare  ti5!"  depend, 

P>p   last    njght,        y^u     my  intimele 
yu    swallowed      \jL/  "friend? 


&» 


32  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

THE  CAT  THAT  CAME  TO  SCHOOL. 

Action  Poem. 


WHY  here's  a  pussy  come  to  school! 
What  do  1yon  want,  my  dear  ? 
You  2prick  your  ears  and  3gaze  about, 
And  seem  to  feel  no  fear. 

Ah !  next  I  see  you  4wash  yourself, 
That's  right !  Miss  Pussy  Cat ; 

We  scholars    here  must  all  be  clean — 
I'm  glad  you  think  of  that. 

Now  pussy  r,looks  all  around  again. 

Then  gives  a  little  "mew," 
And  Gshakes  the  bell  tied  7round  her  neck, 

With  bit  of  ribbon  blue. 

8Upon  the  table  pussy  jumps, 

9Then  to  the  Maypole  goes ; 
Oh !  kitty,  would  you  like  to  dance,, 

As  we  do,  on  our  10toes  ? 

"Next  to  the  class-room  door  she  goes, 

I'm  sure  she  wants  to  learn. 
12Come  in,  come  in,  then,  pussy  cat, 

And  13read  when  it's  your  turn. 

But  pussy  only  says  14''Mew,  mew," 
And  15looks  in  teacher's  face : 

16Oh,  puss,  I  fear  you'll  be  a  dunce, 
And  leave  in  sad  disgrace' 


m   \  *       lUMCJlHff       ■■I 


Picture  IV. 
"I  'dopt  her  fer  m'  ownes'  tat, 
An'  dot  fer  her  der  nices'  house." 


Picture  V. 
"Were  she  do  stay  w'en  nite  am  turn 
Ser  still  an'  twiet  as  er  mouse." 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  33 

How  prettily  you  sit  and  17curl 

Your  long  tail  round  your  feet! 
And  look  so  cozy  and  content, 

You  must  think  school  a  treat. 

DIRECTIONS. 

"Point  out.  10Tap  toes  lightly. 

2Raise  forefinger  of  each  hand,  and      "Point  to  door. 

put  one  on  each  side  of  head.       "Beckon. 

sLook  around.  18Hold    hands    together,  palms  up- 

4Pretend  to  wash  face.  ward. 

"Same  as  3.  "Let  a  few  children  imitate  mewing. 

"Hold  hands  loosely  and  shake.  15Look  intently  at  teacher. 

'Point  to  neck.  "Move  forefinger. 

"Raise  both  hands.  "Curve    right    arm    around  to  left 

"Point  outward.  side. 


WHAT  PUSS  THINKS. 


PRAY  tell  me  why  a  heartless  pup 
Should  care  to  worry  me— 
A  gentle,  peaceful  pussy  cat — 
And  chase  me  up  a  tree  ? 

The  pup  cannot  be  angry ;  why, 
His  eyes  are  bright  with  fun; 

And  yet,  ah  me !  with  all  my  heart 
I  wish  I  had  a  gun ! 

Then  I  would  bang  his  wagging  tail, 
And  laugh  to  hear  him  howl, 

Just  as  he  barks  with  glee  at  me, 
While  I  can  only  growl. 

"But  how  about  the  mouse  ?"  you  ask. 
Oh,  well,  of  course  I  do 
Catch  mice,  and  tease  them,  too,  a  bit; 
But,  really,  wouldn't  you  ? 


34  CMS   AND   KITTENS. 


CATS. 


Eve  Lawless. 


THERE  are  women  in  this  world,  and  men,  too,  who,  I  think, 
were  intended  for  cats  instead  of  human  beings.  Notice  their 
soft  velvety  paws  as  they  beg  some  favor  of  you ;  and  then  offend 
them,  I'll  be  bound  you'll  see  the  claws,  and  feel  them,  too. 

That  person,  who  creeps  around  your  house  with  stealthy  tread 
and  catlike  caution,  take  my  word  for  it,  means  mischief,  and  if 
you  don't  hear  some  rumors  regarding  yourself,  then  I  am  no 
prophet. 

A  cat  will  kill  a  bird,  eat  it,  wash  her  paws,  and  look  up  in 
your  face,  as  though  she  said,  "I  don't  see  who  could  have  eaten 
that  canary."  Can't  you  think  of  some  individual  who  bears  a 
resemblance  to  that  cat? 

Hasn't  some  one  been  casting  aspersions  upon  your  character, 
and  said  foul  things  about  you,  and  then  licked  her  paws — I 
mean  washed  her  hands — and  put  on  a  grave-yard  look,  saying,  at 
the  same  time,  "How  can  people  talk  so  about  their  neighbors?" 

I  hate  these  cats.  I  want  to  have  a  person  candid,  upright  and 
outspoken,  not  palaver  before  your  face,  and  backbite  you  when 
you  haven't  the  ghost  of  a  chance  to  defend  yourself.  It  always 
makes  me  shiver  to  hear  a  catlike  tread. 

Hallo !  Here  comes  another  cat.  This  time  it  comes  in  the 
shape  of  an  anonymous  correspondent,  who  wishes  Eve  to  write 
to  him  on  Love !  I  beg  your  pardon ;  I  don't  write  to  promis- 
cuous people,  and  especially  to  those  who  are  ashamed  to  write 
more  than  their  initials.  When  a  man  is  not  willing  to  sign  his 
name  fair  and  square  to  a  letter,  it  doesn't  strike  me  that  he  can 
be  any  too  proud  of  it.  This  anonymous  letter-writing  is  of  too 
catlike  a  nature  to  suit  me. 

Have  I  any  more  cats  handy  ?  I  think  so.  Imagine  you  have 
written  a  poem ;  some  friend  praises  it,  stroking  your  fur  the  right 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  35 

way,  figuratively  speaking.  Let  another  friend  tell  you  of  its 
faults,  rubbing  the  fur  contrariwise,  won't  you  spit,  and  scratch, 
and  mew  something  about  somebody's  having  no  taste  ?  Why  are 
we  plagued  with  so  many  catlike  attitudes  ? 


INTELLIGENT  CAT. 


Grace  Bacon  Holway. 


A  RUSH  and  a  dash  and  a  scamper, 
A  warm,  nestling  armful  of  fur ; 
Our  brief  game  of  tag — being  over — 
Gave  place  to  the  tenderest  purr. 

He  measures  a  yard  in  the  morning 

When  stretched  in  a  sweet,  dreamless  sleep, 

The  rich,  tawny  fur,  soft  as  velvet, 

Showing  broad,  even  stripes,  dark  and  deep. 

He  lies  on  my  lap  in  the  sunshine, 

I  rock  him  to  sleep  on  my  arm, 
I  feel  all  the  pleasure  of  loving, 

And  striving  to  shield  him  from  harm. 

He  runs  up  the  tree  to  my  window 

To  tap  with  his  paw  on  the  pane 
And  plead,  in  his  sweet  coaxing  language, 

For  comfort  and  shelter  again. 

Each  movement  of  gentle  contentment, 

Replete  with  luxurious  grace, 
Proclaims  him  at  once  and  forever 

The  king  of   the   feline   race. 


3b  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

DECORATION  OF  HONOR. 

L.  E.  Street. 


((  \TO\j — ow — w!"  said  Blitzen.  "What  are  you  doing  on  my 
I       premises  ?" 

The  other  cat  looked  up  from  the  plate  before  him.  He  was 
enjoying  the  good  breakfast  which  had  been  placed  upon  it. 

"I'm  visiting  here  with  my  mistress." 

"What  is  your  name?"  further  inquired  Blitzen.  still  waving 
his  tail,  though  in  a  somewhat  less  warlike  manner;  "and  why  is 
that  blue  ribbon  tied  on  your  collar  ?" 

"My  mistress  calls  me  Herculo.  I'm  a  pure-blooded  Angora, 
and  that  blue  ribbon  is  for  a  prize  I  took  in  a  cat  show.  I've 
taken  four." 

"Humph !  Well,  my  name  is  Blitzen,  which  means  lightning. 
I'm  called  that  because  I  can  scratch  with  my  claws  just  as  quick 
and  sharp  as  lightning  can  strike.  I'm  just  a  plain  cat,  and  never 
took  a  prize  in  my  life ;  but  I  can  catch  mice  and  sparrows  and 
climb  a  tree  like  a  squirrel." 

Again  the  tail  waved.     Herculo  looked  duly  impressed. 

"Gr-r-r!"  continued  Blitzen,  beginning  to  eat  the  breakfast 
which  lay  on  another  plate  close  by.  "Don't  you  dare  touch  any 
of  my  breakfast.    Keep  to  your  own  plate." 

This  was  the  way  the  two  cats  began  their  friendship.  It  did 
not  take  Blitzen  long  to  grow  quite  amiable,  especially  when  he 
saw  how  respectfully  Herculo  watch  his  exploits. 

One  morning  Blitzen  started  off  before  daylight  on  an  expedi- 
tion, which  kept  him  longer  than  he  meant  it  should. 

"Plates  empty,  eh?"  he  mused  as  he  reached  the  kitchen  door. 
"Now,  what  a  good  thing  it  was  that  I  caught  that  mouse.  Where 
can  Herculo  be,  I  wonder." 

"Meow-ow!    Meow-ow !" 

Blitzen  pricked  up  his  ears. 

"That  sounds  familiar!" 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  i7 

"Me-ow-ow!'  ' 

"Herculo,  as  sure  as  I'm  a  cat!  He  must  be  in  some  scrape. 
Now,  which  direction — ah,  front  lawn,  I  guess."  And  Blitzen 
ambled  away  thither. 

"Meow-ow !" 

Blitzen  looked  up  in  the  larch  tree,  high  up  in  the  branches  of 
which  clung  Herculo.  Just  beyond  his  reach  sat  a  dozen  sparrows 
twittering  with  bird  laughter  at  the  terror  and  discomfort  of  their 
would-be  enemy. 

"Hullo !"  said  Blitzen  calmly.     "Why  don't  you  come  down  ?" 

"Ca-an't— it's  so  hi-igh !    I'll  fall." 

"What  made  you  climb  up  there,  anyhow,  if  you  were  too 
scared  to  come  down  again  ?" 

"To  hunt  the  sparrows.    Meow !" 

"Ha,  ha!"  laughed  the  sparrows.     "Chee,  chee!" 

"Well,  you  just  swing  your  hind  feet  off  to  the  next  branch 
below,  can't  you  ?"  said  Blitzen. 

Herculo  tried,  but  was  too  frightened  to  succeed. 

"I  can't,"  he  wailed  again.     "Yow-w-w!" 

Blitzen  walked  around  the  tree  and  viewed  him  critically  from 
all  sides.  Then  he  started  for  the  barn.  Herculo  felt  himself  de- 
serted, and  yowed  despairingly. 

Blitzen  trotted  on.  At  the  barn  he  found  John,  the  man,  and 
rubbing  persuasively  against  his  legs,  said,  "Meow!" 

John  stooped  and  petted  him.  Acknowledging  the  stroke  of 
the  friendly  hand,  Blitzen  repeated  firmly,  "Meow!"  Then  he 
went  a  few  steps  toward  the  door  and  turned  to  see  if  John  under- 
stood. 

"What's  up,  Blitzen,  ye  sinner?"  asked  John. 

"Meow !"  replied  Blitzen,  trotting  ahead. 

"Sure,  he's  a  knowin'  animal.  He  do  be  wantin'  somethin'.  I'll 
go  with  him,"  was  John's  conclusion. 

And  then  Blitzen  triumphantly  led  him  to  the  tree  where  Her- 
culo still  clung,  and  still  howled  dolefully. 

"Av  coorse,  I'll  get  him  down  fer  ye,  Blitzen,"  said  John,  taking 
in  the  situation.    " Ye're  a  clever  feller  entirely !" 


38  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

By  help  of  a  ladder  and  John's  strong  arms,  Herculo  was  landed 
on -the  ground  very  much  tumbled-up-and-do\vn  in  his  mind. 

"Blitzen,"  said  his  mistress,  "you  shall  have  a  blue  ribbon,  too. 
You  may  not  have  any  blue  blood,  but  you've  common  sense ;  and 
that's  a  trait  worth  having:  in  man  or  beast !" 


CAT'S  THANKSGIVING  DAY. 


££/^~^lVE  me  turkey  for  my  dinner," 

V_J        -  Said  a  tabby  cat. 
"Before  you  get  it,  you'll  be  thinner, 

Go  and  catch  a  rat," 
Said  the  cook,  her  pastry  making, 

Looking  fierce  and  red, 
And  a  heavy  roller  shaking 

Over  pussy's  head. 

Hark !  her  kittens'  shriller  mewing ; 

"Give  us  pie,'  said  they, 
To  the  cook,  amid  her  stewing, 

On  Thanksgiving  day. 
"Pie,  indeed  !     You  idle  creatures ! 

Who'd  have  thought  of  that? 
Wash  your  paws  and  faces  neater, 

And  2:0  hunt !    Scat !    Scat !" 


So  they  went  and  did  their  duty, 

Diligent  and  still ; 
Exercise  improved  their  beauty, 

As  it  always  will. 
Useful  work  and  early  rising 

Brought  a  merry  mood ; 
And  they  found  the  cook's  advising, 

Though  severe,  was  good. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS. 


19 


■jjgtf 


40  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


PINS  IN  PUSSY'S  TOES. 


Harriet  Beecher  Stowe. 


LITTLE  Fred  is  now  in  the  third  summer  of  his  life.  He  has 
been  moved  into  the  country,  and  his  round  blue  eyes  are 
growing  rounder  and  bigger  every  hour  with  new  and  wonderful 
experiences. 

Most  striking  among  them  and  most  puzzling  to  Fred  is  Pussy. 
Not  a  big  cat,  but  a  kitten,  of  those  tender  years  corresponding  to 
Fred's  own.  What  a  wonder  she  is,  seen  now  for  the  first  time, 
serenely  walking  on  all  fours !  A  Maltese  kit,  of  pure  blood  and 
glossy  mouse  color,  with  a  white  breast-pin  in  her  bosom ! 

Eagerly  Freddy  seizes  her;  he  hugs  her  very  tight,  and  Pussy 
squirms  in  vain ;  he  examines  the  wonder ;  he  pokes  his  fat  little 
fingers  into  Pussy's  bright  eyes ;  he  opens  her  mouth  and  looks 
at  her  little  pink  tongue.  He  sends  her  a  little  while  with  her 
head  up,  and  then,  for  vanity's  sake,  he  sends  her  with  her  heels 
up,  and  her  head  hanging  down.  Then  it  occurs  to  him  that 
Pussy's  tail  is  a  nice  handle  to  carry  her  by,  and  he  tries  that  ex- 
periment. At  last  Pussy's  patience  gives  out,  and  out  from  her 
pretty  velvet  paws  fly  the  ten  little  sharp,  pearly  points  that  have 
been  given  her  for  her  defence,  and  Fred  feels  a  new  sensation. 
He  throws  Pussy  on  the  floor  and  runs  screaming  to  mamma. 

Oh,  mamma,  mamma,  Pussy  got  pins  in  her  toes !" 

Then  mamma  explains  to  Freddy  why  the  pins  were  put  in 
Pussy's  velvet  toes.  Poor,  soft,  furry,  helpless  little  Pussy !  what 
could  she  do  if  she  had  not  pins  in  her  toes?  Does  Freddy  like 
to  have  people  poke  their  fingers  in  his  eyes,  or  open  his  mouth, 
or  feel  of  his  tongue?  No  more  does  Pussy.  Would  Freddy  like 
to  be  carried  around,  squeezed  up  under  somebody's  arm,  with  his 
head  hanging  down?  No  more  does  Pussy.  But  Pussy  cannot 
speak;  she  cannot  complain — all  she  can  do  is  to  use  the  pins  in 
her  toes. 


CATS.  AND   KITTENS.        '  41 

"When  Freddy  holds  Pussy  right  end  up,  strokes  her  gently, 
and  speaks  lovingly  to  her,  the  little  sharp  pins  in  her  paws  go 
away— clear  in — where  nobody  can  see  them,  and  Pussy  begins 
to  sing  a  low,  little  purring  song  to  show  how  happy  she  is !  So, 
Freddy  dear,"  says  mamma,  "there  is  a  right  way  and  a  wrong 
way  to  handle  everything.  If  you  hold  Pussy  gently,  stroke  her 
softly,  and  treat  her  kindly,  you  never  will  be  troubled  by  the  ten 
little  pins  in  her  ten  toes ;  but  if  you  trouble,  and  worry,  and  tease 
Pussy,  she  will  scratch." 


LAMENT  OF  A  FORSAKEN  CAT. 


Elizabeth  Harcourt  Mitchell. 


THE  family  went  out  of  town, 
Refreshing  themselves  by  the  sea ; 
I  thought  they'd  have  taken  me  down, 
But  no  one  had  pity  on  me. 

What  of  that? 
After  all,  it  is  "only  a  cat!" 

The  children  got  in  one  by  one, 

When  the  carriage  drove  up  to  the  door, 
How  breathlessly  then  did  I  run! 
Little  Molly  cried,  "Room  for  one  more!" 
What  of  that? 

After  all,  it  is  "only  a  cat!" 

"No  place  with  the  children  for  me? 

With  the  luggage  then,  porter,"  I  said. 
"Get  out,  little  demon !"  cried  he, 

And  gave  me  a  blow  on  the  head. 
What  of  that? 

After  all,  it  is  "only  a  cat!" 


42  •         CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

There  is  no  one  without  or  within ; 

Not  a  drop,  not  a  crumb  in  the  house. 
My  bones  breaking  through  my  poor  skin; 

No  strength  to  say  Boo !  to  a  mouse ! 
What  of  that? 

After  all,  it  is  "only  a  cat!" 

I  was  petted  and  loved  by  the  fair ; 

Do  they  think  of  me  now  by  the  sea  ? 
The  pavement  is  burning  and  bare, 

I  am  dying  by  inches,  poor  me ! 
What  of  that? 

After  all,  it  is  "only  a  cat!" 

You  have  left  me  to  die,  but  I  say 

That  when  you  have  once  made  a  friend, 

And  loved  him  a  little  each  day, 

You  should  love  him  straight  on  to  the  end ! 

Think  of  that ! 
Even  should  he  be  "only  a  cat!" 


A  CAT  CAME  FIDDLING. 


A  CAT  came  fiddling 
Out  of  a  barn, 
With  a  pair  of  bagpipes 

Under  her  arm; 
She  could  sing  nothing 

But  fiddle  cum  dee, 
The  mouse  has  married 

The  bumble-bee ; 
Pipe,   cat;   dance,  mouse 
We'll  have  a  wedding 

At  our  good  house. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  43 


CAT  AND  TIGEB. 


A  Fable. 


THE  cat  and  the  tiger  were  once  on  very  good  terms.  They 
considered  themselves  members  of  the  same  family;  and, 
whenever  any  disputes  arose  among  the  animals,  they  were  both 
found  vigorously  supporting  the  other's  case.  They  were  often 
to  be  seen  roaming  about  the  country  together,  and  they  frequently 
did  each  other  great  services,  the  tiger  by  his  superior  strength, 
and  the  cat  by  his  more  nimble  wit. 

Although,  for  the  most  part  fast  friends,  the  tiger  when  they 
were  by  themselves  would  often  harass  the  cat  by  his  conceited 
speeches. 

"You  may  be  very  well  for  small  game,"  he  would  say,  striding 
up  and  down,  and  lashing  his  tail  to  and  fro,  "but  you  must  know 
that  you  are  but  a  small  and  very  plain  edition  of  me.  I  can  easily 
bring  down  deer,  and  I  have  even  put  the  great  elephant  to  flight. 
Look  how  my  beautiful  stripes  flash  in  the  sun.  Are  you  not 
proud  of  belonging  to  my  family?" 

To  this  the  cat  said  nothing,  but  closed  his  eyes  and  mused. 

Now,  it  is  well  known  that,  though  the  tiger  can  easily  climb 
up  a  tree,  once  he  is  up,  if  he  wishes  to  come  down,  he  must  either 
leap  or  fall,  since  he  is  unable  to  climb  down. 

One  day  he  said  to  the  cat:  "I  have  long  wished  that  I  could 
climb  a  tree.  Many  of  my  tormenting  enemies  escape  from  me 
because  I  must  stick  to  the  ground.  You  climb  very  well,  though 
you  are  so  little.    Why  will  you  not  teach  me?" 

"Come  along ;  I  will  teach  you  with  pleasure,"  said  the  cat.  lead- 
ing the  way  to  a  tall  tree.  After  a  great  deal  of  instruction  the 
tiger  succeeded  in  getting  up  the  tree ;  but  the  cat,  seeing  now  an 
opportunity  to  retaliate  for  the  tiger's  unpleasant  words,  ran  off, 
laughing. 

"I  am  up  very  well,'  said  the  tiger,  a  little  frightened  at  finding 


44  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

himself  so  far  from  the  ground ;  "now  show  me  how  to  come 
down." 

"Oh,  no,"  said  the  cat.  "I  was  only  to  show  you  how  to  get  up. 
Now  you  must  get  down  the  best  you  can.  Since  you  are  so  much 
more  powerful  and  beautiful,  surely  you  can  do  that  much  better 
than  I." 

The  tiger  tried  to  cajole  his  small  friend,  then  begged  him  for 
help ;  but,  finding  him  obdurate,  flew  into  a  rage  and  leaped  to  the 
ground,  meaning  to  catch  and  crush  him  at  once.  Instead,  he 
almost  crushed  himself,  and  lay  on  his  side  for  some  moments, 
gasping  for  breath. 

At  last,  when  he  was  able  to  rise,  he  rushed  after  the  cat  with 
the  best  speed  he  could  muster.  Lame  as  he  was,  he  gained  rap- 
idly, and  it  would  have  gone  hard  with  the  cat  had  he  not,  luckily, 
spied  a  man's  house  a  little  way  off.  In  this  he  took  refuge,  and 
he  has  never  yet  mustered  courage  enough  to  leave  that  protection. 


WHERE  ARE  THOSE  SLEEPY  KITTENS. 


Action  Poem. 


CUNNING  little  kittens, 
Cuddled  in  a  heap, 
Tired  out  with  playing, 

Now  are  sound  asleep. 
2Mother  cat  comes  stealing  in, 

And  softly  says,  "Im-mieouw." 
3Where  are  those  sleepy  kittens? 
4Do  you  see  them  now? 

DIRECTIONS. 

1  Children  all  huddled  in  a  bunch,  with  faces  in  hands  on  desk. 

2  One  child  comes  softly  creeping  in  toward  them  and  says,  "  Im-mieouw." 

*  All  children  stretch,  rub  eyes  and  gather  round  their  mother,  now  wide 

awake. 

*  All  skip  about  as.  kittens  do,  when  their  mother  is  near,  and  play  with  one 

another. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  45 

A  SAD  CASE. 


Clara  D.  Bates. 


I'M  a  poor  little  kitty, 
And  alas !  when  born,  so  pretty, 
That  the  morning  I  was  found, 
Instead  of  being  drowned, 

I  was  saved  to  be  the  toy 

Of  a  dreadful  baby-boy, 
Who  pinches  and  who  pokes  me, 
Holds  me  by  my  throat  and  chokes  me, 

And  when  I  could  vainly  try 

From  his  cruel  clutch  to  fly, 
Grabs  my  tail,  and  pulls  so  hard 
That  some  day,  upon  my  word ! 

I  am  sure  'twill  broken  be, 

And  then  everybody'll  see 

Such  a  looking  Kitty! 

That  baby  has  no  pity ! 
Thinks  I'm  "only  a  kitty" — 
I  won't  stand  it,  nor  would  you ! 
'Tis  no  use  to  cry  out  m-e-w  \ 

Listen !    Some  day  I  shall  scratch, 
And  he'll  find  he's  met  his  match ; 
That  within  my  little  paws 
There  are  ever  so  many  claws ! 
And  it  won't  be  very  long, 
If  this  sort  of  thing  goes  on, 
Till  there'll  be  a  kitten  row 
Such  as  has  not  been  till  now ; 

Then,  my  lad,  there  will  be  found, 
Left  upon  that  battle-ground, 

Such  ?  looking  Baby ! 


46  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 


CATS  AND  DOGS. 


Jerome  K.  Jerome. 


T  LIKE  cats  and  dogs  very  much  indeed.  What  jolly  chaps 
J  they  are !  They  are  much  superior  to  human  beings  as  com- 
panions. They  do  not  quarrel  or  argue  with  you.  They  never 
talk  about  themselves,  but  listen  to  you  while  you  talk  about  your- 
self, and  keep  up  an  appearance  of  being  interested  in  the  con- 
versation. They  never  make  stupid  remarks.  And  they  never 
ask  a  young  author  with  fourteen  tragedies,  sixteen  comedies, 
seven  farces,  and  a  couple  of  burlesques  in  his  desk,  why  he  doesn't 
write  a  play. 

They  never  say  unkind  things.  They  never  tell  us  of  our  faults, 
"merely  for  our  own  good."  They  do  not,  at  inconvenient  mo- 
ments, mildly  remind  us  of  our  past  follies  and  mistakes.  They 
never  inform  us  that  we  are  not  nearly  so  nice  as  we  used  to  be. 
We  are  always  the  same  to  them.  They  are  always  glad  to  see  us. 
They  are  with  us  in  all  our  humors.  They  are  merry  when  we 
are  glad,  sober  when  we  feel  solemn,  sad  when  we  are  sorrowful. 

"Hulloa!  happy,  and  want  a  lark!  Right  you  are;  I'm  your 
man.  Here  I  am,  frisking  round  you,  leaping,  barking,  pirouet- 
ting, ready  for  any  amount  of  fun  and  mischief.  Look  at  my  eyes, 
if  you  doubt  me.  What  shall  it  be?  A  romp  in  the  drawing-room, 
and  never  mind  the  furniture,  or  a  scamper  in  the  fresh,  cool  air, 
a  scud  across  the  fields,  and  down  the  hill,  and  we  won't  let  old 
Gaffer  Goggles's  geese  know  what  time  o'day  it  is,  neither. 
Whoop !  come  along." 

Or  you'd  like  to  be  quiet  and  think.  Very  well.  Pussy  can  sit 
on  the  arm  of  the  chair,  and  purr,  and  purr,  and  Montmorency 
will  curl  himself  up  on  the  rug,  and  blink  at  the  fire,  yet  keeping 
one  eye  on  you  the  while,  in  case  you  are  seized  with  any  sudden 
desire  in  the  direction  of  rats.  And  when  we  bury  our  face  in 
our  hands  and  wish  we  had  never  been  born,  they  don't  sit  up  very 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  47 

straight,  and  observe  that  we  have  brought  it  all.  upon  ourselves. 
They  don't  even  hope  it  will  be  a  warning  to  us. 

But  they  come  up  softly;  and  shove  their  heads  against  us.  If 
it  is  a  cat,  she  stands  on  your  shoulder,  rumples  your  hair,  and 
says,  "I  am  sorry  for  you,"  as  plain  as  words  can  speak ;  and  if  it 
is  a  dog,  he  looks  up  at  you  with  his  big,  true  eyes,  and  says  with 
them,  "Well,  you've  always  got  me,  you  know.  We'll  go  through 
the  world  together,  and  always  stand  by  each  other,  won't  we  ?" 

He  is  very  imprudent,  a  dog  is.  He  never  makes  it  his  business 
to  inquire  whether  you  are  in  the  right  or  in  the  wrong,  never 
bothers  as  to  whether  you  are  going  up  or  down  upon  life's  ladder, 
never  asks  whether  you  are  rich  or  poor,  silly  or  wise,  sinner  or 
saint.  Come  luck  or  misfortune,  good  repute  or  bad,  honor  or 
shame,  he  is  going  to  stick  to  you,  to  comfort  you,  guard  you,  and 
give  his  life  for  you,  if  need  be — foolish,  brainless,  soulless  dog! 

Ah !  old  staunch  friend,  with  your  deep,  clear  eyes,  and  bright, 
quick  glances,  that  take  in  all  one  has  to  say  before  one  has  time 
to  speak  it,  do  you  know  you  are  only  an  animal,  and  have  no 
mind?  Do  you  know  that  dull-eyed,  gin-sodden  lout,  leaning 
against  the  post  out  there,  is  immeasurably  your  intellectual  su- 
perior ? 

Do  you  know  that  every  little-minded,  selfish  scoundrel,  who 
lives  by  cheating  and  tricking,  who  never  did  a  gentle  deed,  or 
said  a  kind  word,  who  never  had  a  thought  that  was  not  mean 
and  low,  or  a  desire  that  was  not  base,  whose  every  action  is  a 
fraud,  whose  every  utterance  is  a  lie ;  do  you  know  they  are  all 
as  much  superior  to  you  as  the  sun  is  superior  to  rush-light,  you 
honorable,  brave-hearted,  unselfish  brute? 

They  are  men,  you  know,  and  men  are  the  greatest,  noblest,  and 
wisest,  and  best  Beings  in  the  whole  vast  eternal  Universe.  Any 
man  will  tell  you  that.  Yes,  poor  doggie,  you  are  very  stupid,  very 
stupid  indeed,  compared  with  us  clever  men,  who  understand  all 
about  politics  and  philosophy,  and  who  know  everything  in  short, 
except  what  we  are,  and  where  we  came  from,  and  whither  we 
are  going,  and  what  everything  outside  this  tiny  world  and  most 
things  in  it  are. 


48  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Never  mind,  though,  pussy  and  doggie,  we  like  you  both  all 
the  better  for  your  being  stupid.  We  all  like  stupid  things.  It 
is  so  pleasant  to  come  across  people  more  stupid  than  ourselves. 
Ah  me !  life  sadly  changes  us  all.  The  world  seems  a  vast  hor- 
rible grinding  machine,  into  which  what  is  fresh  and  bright  and 
pure  is  pushed  at  one  end,  to  come  out  old  and  crabbed  and 
wrinkled  at  the  other. 

Look  even  at  Pussy  Sobersides,  with  her  dull  sleepy  glance, 
her  grave  slow  walk,  and  dignified,  prudish  airs ;  who  could  ever 
think  that  once  she  was  the  blue-eyed,  whirling,  scampering,  head- 
over-heels,  mad  little  firework  that  we  called  a  kitten. 

What  marvelous  vitality  a  kitten  has.  It  is  really  something 
very  beautiful  the  way  life  bubbles  over  in  the  little  creatures.  They 
rush  about,  and  mew,  and  spring;  dance  on  their  hind  legs,  em- 
brace everything  with  their  front  ones,  roll  over  and  over,  lie  on 
their  backs  and  kick.  They  don't  know  what  to  do  with  them- 
selves, they  are  so  full  of  life. 

Can  you  remember  when  you  and  I  felt  something  of  the  same 
sort  of  thing?  Can  you  remember  those  glorious  days  of  fresh 
young  manhood ;  how,  when  coming  home  along  the  moonlit  road, 
we  felt  too  full  of  life  for  sober  walking,  and  had  to  spring  and 
skip,  and  wave  our  arms,  and  shout?  Oh,  that  magnificent  young 
Life!  that  crowned  us  kings  of  the  earth;  that  rushed  through 
every  tingling  vein,  till  we  seemed  to  walk  on  air ;  that  thrilled 
through  our  throbbing  brains,  and  told  us  to  go  forth  and  conquer 
the  whole  world ;  that  welled  up  in  our  young  hearts,  till  we 
longed  to  stretch  out  our  arms  and  gather  all  the  toiling  men  and 
women  and  the  little  children  to  our  breast,  and  love  them 
all— all. 

Ah !  they  were  grand  days,  those  deep  full  days,  when  our  com- 
ing life,  like  an  unseen  organ,  pealed  strange,  yearnful  music  in 
our  ears,  and  our  young  blood  cried  out  like  a  war-horse  for  the 
battle.  Ah,  our  pulse  beats  slow  and  steady  now,  and  our  old 
joints  are  rheumatic,  and  we  love  our  easy  chair  and  sneer  at  boys' 
enthusiasm.  But  oh !  for  one  brief  moment  of  that  god-like  life 
again. 


PlCTUKE   VI. 
"She  ain't  ner  tommon  tind  o'  tat, 
She  am  Andora,  yes,  she  be." 


Picture  VII. 
"Er  nussin'  bottle  wiv  er  mouf, 
F'um  wich  she  dinks   her  milk  w'en  hot." 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 
DICK  WHITTINGTON. 


49 


SONG  WITn  TABLEAUX. 


Moderato 


W4 


mf 


=P 


=^^^^ees 


:t 


:£=q: 


1.  "  Clouds  of  trouble  hov  -  er  o'er  me,      I    will  leave  this  London  drear; 

2.  Years  rolled  by,  and  Dick  was  dwelling  In    a    land   be-yond  the  sea; 

3.  Once  a  -  gain   in    mer-ry  Lon-don  Dick  had  land-ed  safe  and  sound; 


a-  9-  * 


-*-^-*-M=^=l 


^pE^^CR. 


:*=3 


rail 


\ 1- 


gjgg 


P — =T 


=^jy=3=j=r=fcjzfr 


:=!= 


-•"-1- 


Save   my  cat,  I'm  lono  and  friendless,  Naught  but  failure  greets  me  here." 

Pic  -  kle  f  or-tune  smiled  up-on  him,    He   was  rich  as  man  need  be. 
Famed  a  -  far  for  truth  and  hon-or,    Ma  -  ny  were  the  friends  he  found. 

— h J— 


^=^532^ 


=$ 


& 


?— *- 


5e£e 


{&»-    „■§■ 
11      rail. 


-«-- 


d: 


■M.JS  a- 


50 


CATS  AND   KITTENS. 
DICK  WHITTINGTON Continued. 


tea \==E=t 


*— h 


-* — #- 


'— > 


Thus  said  Dick;  and  off  he  wandered,  Eyes  bedimmed  with  burning  tears, 
Gold  and  jew  -  els  were  his  payment,  But  the  la  -  bor  was  his  cat's— 
As  Lord  Mayor  he  counseled  wisely,  Cheered  the  poor  man's  humble  lot, 


cresc 


-iM-i- 


-o-  -e-      -#--#- 


*^#- 


fcfe 


feE 


£=*= 


-3 — £ — F=*- 


r*7. 


N=^= 


fc 


^>=*> 


:j=fc=t= 


r 


:t— 


-r*- 


Till,   fatigued,  he  paused  and  rested — Sweet-toned  bells  sa-lute   his  ears. 

It    had  cleared  the  Prince's  pal-ace     Of    a  might  -  y   swarm   of  rats. 

For    the  struggles   of    his  boy-hood     In  sue  -  cess  he     ne'er   for  -  got. 


See 


\—^—f 


r//. 


T 


?=& 


•    e) 


t -p.  £  . _j  £:  t  £ 


-U4_J_: 


zt    -^ 


CATS  AND   KITTENS. 
DICK  WHITTINGTON Concluded. 

4=  4-  JL  -*-  -« 


51 


-*-  -#- 


Si 


r»//, 


ffi 


« 


s 


Slower. 


:^ts=t 


f^-t 


-V 


I 


•^-rV 


Quicker. 


-R-N- 


"Stay,  0  stay!"    They  seem  to  say.  "Turn  a  -  gain,  Whit-ting-ton, 

Still  ho  hears,        As  pass  the  years,        "  Turn  a  -  gain,  Whit-ting-ton, 
Yet  a  -  gain       Re-sounds  the  strain,  "  Long  live  Dick  Whit-ting-ton, 


Persons  Represented  in  the  Tableaux:  Dick  Whittington,  a  beggar,  attendants,  etc. 
A  cat. 

Scene.     For  Tableau  I,  an  exterior;  for  Tableaux  II  and  III,  an  interior. 

N.  B.  The  chimes  played  on  the  Fairy  Bells  or  some  similar  instrument  will  greatly  add 
to  the  effect.  J 

Tableau  I.  Verse  1.  Dick,  with  a  bundle  over  his  shoulder,  turns  round  at  the  sound  of 
the  bells. 

Tableau  II.    Verse  2.    Dick,  well  dressed,  sits  fondling  his  cat. 

Tableau  111.  Verse  3.  Dick,  as  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  sits  in  a  chair  of  state.  He 
gives  alms  to  a  poor  man  who  kneels  before  him.    Attendants  look  on. 


52  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


TWO'S  COMPANY,  THREE'S  NONE." 


Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


T 


WO  kittens  bright 
With  haughty  air 
That  plainly  said, 

"Two  make  a  pair," 
A  picture  made 
As  they  sat  there, 
A  parasol 
Kept  off  the  air. 


It  shaded  them 

From  wind  and  sun; 
'Twas  Japanese, 

(A  lovely  one !) 
And  well  they  knew 
They  had  outdone 
In  style,  their  chums, 
Yes,  ev'ry  one. 


And  how  they  blinked 
At  Pussy  Snow, 

And  said,  "My  friend, 
You  cannot  go 
With  us  about, 
You  are  too  slow ; 
Besides,  your  voice 
Is  never  low. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  S3 

"And  people  might, 

Why,  something-  say, 
If  you  were  seen 
With  us  to-day. 
Besides,  we've  heard 
You've  been  quite  gay, 
And  that  should  make 
Us  say,  'Nay,  nay !' 

"Then,  we,  you  see, 
Are  finely  bred, 

And  our  swell  set 
By  us  is  led; 
And  nothing  'bout 
Us  must  be  said 
To  make  us  blush 
And  bow  our  head. 

"We  put  on  style 

In  dress,  and  air, 
And  often  tend 

Some  great  affair ; 
And  you,  by  now, 
Must  be  aware 
We  surely  are 
A  happy  pair. 

"Then,  too,  perhaps, 
You  do  not  know 

What  'blue  blood'  in 

Our  veins  doth  flow. 
It  might  affect 
Our  social  sway 
Were  we  with  you 
For  just  one  day. 


54  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

"Then  you  have  heard 
By  ev'ry  one, 

How  'two's  company' 

While  ithree  is  none.' 
So  run  away. 
And  seek  some  fun 
With  peasant  cats, 
Out  in  the  sun.'' 

Poor  Kitty  Snow 
Was  very  sad, 

The  little  dear, 

1 1  was  too  bad ! 
And  though  her  voice 
Was  high,  'twas  sweet; 
And  neat  she  looked 
In  house  or  street. 

She  did  not  know 

That  selfish  pride 
Was  used  to  all 

Her  goodness  hide, 
By  those  who  oft 
She'd  played  beside, 
From  day  to  day ; 
And  they  to  chide 

Her  for  her  birth — 
She,  too,  a  pet. 

Oh,  how  it  hurt ! 

Her  eyes  were  wet 
From  grieving  much 
When  told  to  "get," 
By  those  she  loved 
And  dailv  met. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  55 

A  lowly  life 

Is  often  best 

To  prove  our  friends ; 
And,  for  the  rest, 
If  they  should  not 
Stand  by  the  test, 
It's  well  we  know 
Them  at  their  best. 


POLLY  PRY'S  KITTEN. 


1 1\  /I  Y  dear  old  Maltese  pussy ! 
i  V 1     You're  so  soft  and  sweet  to  pat, 
2An'  I  love  you  all  the  better, 

'Cause  you're  called  a  Maltese  cat. 

3When  brother  Dickey  brought  you, 

He  said :   "Now,  Polly  Pry, 
You  can't  maul  an'  tease  this  kitty, 
And  I  will  tell  you  why. 

"She's  called  a  Maltese  pussy, 

5So  as  little  girls  like  you, 
Will  know  that  maulin'  an'  teasin'  her 
Is  what  they  musn't  do!" 

DIRECTIONS. 

JChild  enters,  walks  to  chair  at  stage  C,  looks  down  at  kitty,  speaking  in 

loving  tones,  and  petting  her. 
2Speaks  as  if  she  felt  slightly  teased. 

"Continues  petting  kitty  ,and  shakes  a  finger  as  if  in  warning. 
'Drawls  the  line,  separating  the  word  into  "Mal-tese,"  and  giving  stress 

to  "tease." 
'Shakes  finger  insistently,  pulls  and  hauls  at  kitty.    Gives  a  little  meow. 


56  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


THE  RASH  YOUNG  MOUSE. 


Action  Poem. 


^/^"^OME  in,  2come  in,  you  naughty  child, 
V_>     Don't  run  about  the  house," 
"Oh,  mother,  mother,  let  me  please!" 
Thus  spoke  the  little  mouse. 


4"Those  crumbs,  I'm  sure  they're  meant  for  me, 

Upon  the  parlor  floor, 
And  most  5delicious  cheese  I  smell, 
6Within  the  pantry  door." 

7"Dear  child,  dear  child,"  mamma  replied, 

"The  danger  you  don't  see ; 
If  8puss  appeared,  what  would  become 
Of  you  ?    "That  troubles  me." 

"Pussy  won't  come,"  said  young  Miss  Mouse, 
10"I'm  pretty  sure  of  that," 
And  noff  she  ran  to  taste  the  cheese, 
Quite  12merrily,  pit !  pat ! 

And  mother-mouse  13 within  her  hole, 

Said  14"Dear!  oh  dearie,  dear! 
Young  children  are  so  headstrong,  ah ! 

They  never  think  of  fear." 

So  little  mousie  ate  her  cheese, 

And  never  15heard  behind 
The  lcfootsteps  soft,  which  mother  dear 

Had  told  her  she  must  mind. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  57 

17Pounce,  pounce,  squeak,  squeak !    Oh  !  'tis  too  late  \ 
And  never,  never  more 
Will  young  Miss  Mouse  eat  cheese  so  nice, 
Behind  the  pantry  door. 

So  ends  the  tale  of  little  mouse, 

But  one  word  more  comes  here ; 
Remember,  mother  always  knows 

What's  best  for  children  dear, 

DIRECTIONS. 

1  and  2Beckon.  "Shake  hands  loosely. 

'Put  hands  together.  13Bend  hands    and    place    them  to- 

4Point  to  floor.  gether. 

Told  hands  quickly.  "Shake  head  slowly. 

"Point  to  door.  "Point    over     shoulders     with   both 

:7Shake  head  slowly.  hands. 

i8Hold  up  forefinger.  "Imitate    walking    with   fingers   on 

i8Emphasize   with   forefinger.  desks. 

10Nod  head  saucily.  "Bring  hands  down  suddenly. 

"Point  outward. 


THE  GOOD-FOR-NOTHING  CAT. 


THERE   lives   a   good-for-nothing  cat, 
So  lazy  it  appears, 
That  chirping  birds  can  softly  come 
And  light  upon  her  ears. 

And  rats  and  mice  can  venture  out 

To  nibble  at  her  toes, 
Or  climb  around  and  pull  her  tail, 

Or  boldly  scratch  her  nose. 

Fine  servants  brush  her  silken  coat 

And  give  her  cream  for  tea ; 
Yet  she's  a  good-for-nothing  cat, 

As  all  the  world  may  see. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


THE  TIMID  KITTEN. 


Carolyn  Wells. 


THERE  was  a  little  kitten  once, 
Who  was  of  clogs  afraid, 
And,  being  by  no  means  a  dunce, 
His  plans  he  boldly  made. 

He  said,  "It's  only  on  the  land 

That  dogs  run  after  me, 
So  I  will  buy  a  catboat,  and 

I'll  sail  away  to  sea. 

"Out  there  from  dogs  I'll  be  secure, 
And  each  night,  ere  I  sleep, 
To  make  assurance  doubly  sure, 
A  dog  watch  I  will  keep." 

He  bought  a  catboat,  hired  a  crew, 
And  one  fine  summer  day 

Triumphantly  his  flag  he  flew, 
And  gayly  sailed  away. 

But  in  midocean  one  midnight — 

'Twas  very,  very  dark — 
The  pilot  screamed  in  sudden  fright, 

"I  hear  a  passing  bark!" 

"Oh,  what  is  that?"  the  kitten  said. 
The  pilot  said,  "I  fear 
An  ocean  greyhound's  just  ahead, 
And  drawing  very  near." 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  59 

'Alack!"  the  kitten  cried,  "alack! 

This  is  no  paltry  pup ! 
An  ocean  greyhound's  on  my  track! 

I  may  as  well  give  up !" 


OUT  FOR  A  HIGH  TIME. 


E.  Louise  Liddell. 


THREE  gay  little  kittens,  named  Black,  White  and  Gray, 
From  their  own  cozy  corner  once  wandered  away. 
And  old  Mother  Catkins,  asleep  on  her  chair, 
Ne'er  dreamed  that  her  babies  were  off  "on  a  tear." 

The  kitty-cats  frolicked,  and  gambolled,  and  ran, 
And  cut  up  such  capers  as  only  cats  can; 
And  when  they  encountered  a  very  high  wall, 
Up  scrambled  and  clambered  the  little  cats  all. 

"We're  out  for  a  high  time,"  the  kitty-cats  said; 
And  they  danced  a  few  quicksteps ;  turned  heels  overhead. 
Then  Whitey  and  Graycoat  struck  up  a  sweet  tune, 
While  Black  sat  sedately  and  mewed  at  the  moon.- 

But  brief  was  their  pleasure.    They  soon  heard  a  yell 

Of  "Scat  there,  you  cats  there!"  while  shoes  and  things  fell. 

Down  scrambled  and  tuumbled  the  poor  little  kits, 

And  scampered  off  homeward,  scared  out  of  their  wits. 

With  joy,  their  warm  corner  the  runaways  spied; 
And  when  they  were  nestled  by  old  Gatkin's  side, 
The  kittens  purred  softly,  "No  more  will  we  roam, 
For  all  the  world  over,  there's  no  place  like  home." 


6o 


CATS  AND   KITTENS. 
WE   CATS. 


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61 


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62 


CATS  AMD  KITTENS. 


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CATS   AND   KITTENS. 
WE  CATS Concluded. 


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Picture  VIII. 
"Oh,    she    do    be    ser    very    nice." 


Picture  IX. 
"Maybe  I  mite  dess  tazy  (lit, 
Ef  f'um  titten  I  did  part." 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  65 


DIRECTIONS  FOR  ACTIONS  IN  "WE  CATS." 

'Each  child  should  sit  on  a  footstool. 

'Affect  to  lick  breast  and  paws  like  a  cat. 

"Lay  head  down  on  curled  left  arm  upon  knee. 

"Change  attitude  to  right  arm. 

Took  up  with  shut  eyes,  blink  and  smile,  and  lay  head  down  again. 

"All  get  up  and  look  about  eagerly. 

7Stand  on  tiptoes  and  raise  paws,  like  a  cat  begging;  open  mouth. 

sRun  three  steps  to  left. 

"Same  action  to  right. 

™Raise  forefinger,  looking  down  with  severe  air. 

llAffect  to  lap  milk  eagerly. 

"Spring  back,  raise  head,  put  hand  to  ear. 

inStand  stiff  and  erect,  with  wide  eyes. 

"Shake  clenched  fist,  scowling. 

"Scratch  and  bite  at  imaginary  foe. 

"Remain  with  both  hands  extended. in  clawing  attitude  and  teeth  showing. 

r'Each  lay  left  arm  around  left  hand  neighbor's  shoulder,  smiling. 

uEach  pats  her  neighbor  lightly,  smiling. 

"Blow  upward,  as  if  at  a  feather. 

TOPounce  down  playfully  with  right  hand. 

21Sit  down  on  footstool,  and  affect  to  play  with  something  on  floor. 

^Look  up  mysteriously  and  lay  finger  to  lips. 

"Rise  stealthily  and  look  to  and  fro  with  keen  eyes. 

"Rush  three  steps  to  left  and  then  three  steps  to  right. 

^Quickly  pat  the  next  child  as  in  18,  lay  head  on  shoulder  and  shut  eyes, 

and  scratch  forward  as  in  15. 
20Raise  forefinger,  smiling  mysteriously;  stoop,  crouching  forward. 
27Pounce  forward  and  seize  imaginary  mouse. 
28Swallow  imaginary  mouse. 
29Look  up  smiling,  ana  resume  seat  on  footstool. 


CATKIN. 

I  HAD  a  little  pussy, 
And  her  coat  was  silvery  gray; 
She  lives  in  a  great  wide  meadow, 
And  she  never  runs  away. 

She  always  was  a  pussy; 

She  never  came  a  cat. 
Because — she's  a  pussy  willow ! 

ATow,  what  do  you  think  of  that  ? 


66  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


THE  CATS. 


(With  Apologies  to  Robert  Southey.) 


HEAR  the  warbling  of  the  cats — 
Merry  cats ! 
Oh,  I  love  to  hear  the  music  of  their  midnight  nightly  spats ! 
And  they  waltz  around  and  frisk  all, 

In  the  icy  air  of  night, 
In  a  way  so  weird  and  brisk  all, 
.While  their  shapely  tails  they  wisk  all 

With  a  Cataline  delight — 
Keeping  time  with  their  tails. 
Like  a  lot  of  Runic  flails, 
To  the  concat-cantentation,  sung  in  sundry  sharps  and  flats, 

Of  a  canticle  on  rats, 
Rats,  rats,  rats, 
Rats— 
To  a  wild  carnivorous  canticle  on  rats ! 


Hear  the  turbulent  Tom  cats, 

Daddy  cats ! 
How  the  catapultic  bootjack  interrupts  their  fiendish  chats! 
In  the  darkness  of  the  night. 
How  their  ghoulish  outcries  smite 

Portland  flats ! 
From  their  catacoustic  throats 

An  intense 
Cataphonic  ditty  floats 
To  the  turtle  cat  that  gloats 

On  the  fence ! — 
Ah,  the  tabby  cat  that  listens,  while  she  gloats, 
To  the  surging  cataclysm  of  their  wild,  catarrhal  notes ! 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  67 

Hear  the  hoarse  grandfather  cats — 

Aged  cats ! 
How  they  make  us  long  to  grasp  a  score  of  rattling  good  brickbats ! 
They  have  caught  a  bad  catarrh, 

Caterwauling  at  the  moon ! 
(See  it?     Caught  a  bad  cat  R!) 
You  may  hear  them  from  afar, 
Roll  it  like  a  British  R, 
Out  of  tune. 
In  a  clamorous  appealing  to  the  aged  tabby  cat, 
In  a  futile,  mad  appealing  to  the  deaf,  old  tabby  cat ! 
Shrieking  higher,  higher,  higher, 
Like  a  demon  in  a  fire — 
While  the  little  kitten  cats — 

Infant  cats — 
Sing  an  emulous,  sweet  ditty  of  their  love  for  mice  and  rats? 

That's 
But  a  rudimental  spasm  of  the  capers  of  the  cats ! 


KITTEN  AND  THE  MOUSE. 


ONCE  there  was  a  little  kitty,  whiter  than  the  snow, 
In  a  barn  she  used  to  play,  long  time  ago. 
In  a  barn  a  little  mousie  ran  to  and  fro ; 
For  she  heard  the  kitty  coming,  long  time  ago. 

Two  black  eyes  had  little  kitty,  black  as  any  sloe; 
And  they  spied  the  little  mousie,  long  time  ago. 
Four  soft  paws  had  little  kitty,  paws  soft  as  dough; 
And  they  caught  the  little  mousie,  long  time  ago. 

Nine  pearl  teeth  had  little  kitty,  all  in  a  row ; 

And  they  bit  the  little  mousie,  long  time  ago. 

When  the  teeth  bit  little  mousie,  mousie  she  cried,  "Oh !" 

But  she  got  away  from  kitty,  long  time  ago. 


68  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


HOW  PUSSY  AND  MOUSIE  KEPT  HOUSE. 


A.  C.  Kish. 


ONE  Summer  day,  not  long  ago, 
A  pussy  and  a  mouse, 
Decided  that  it  would  be  fun — 
If  togeth'r  they  kept  house. 

iThey  felt  that  they  could  always  live 

In  love  and  harmony — ■ 
And  never  say  an  unkind  word 

Or  never  disagree. 

So  they  bought  a  little  cottage 

And  fix'd  it  very  fine ; — 
And  liv'd  there-in  for  quite  a-while, 

And  had  a  jolly  time. 

For  pussy  broiled  the  beef-steak 
And  bak'd  the  bread  quite  light 

While  mousie  made  the  beds  so  neat 
And  polished  the  windows  bright. 

And  thus  they  liv'd,  for  quite  a  year, 

As  happy  as  could  be ; 
And  nothing  happened  all  that  time 

To  mar  their  love,  you  see — 

Until  one  day  old  selfish  puss — 
Drank  all  the  good  rich  cream ; 

And  she  only  left  some  skim-milk 
For  mousie, — wasn't  it  mean! 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  G% 

When  mousie  said : — "Oh,  pussy  dear 

I  think  that  you  are  mean 
To  leave  me  only  some  skim-milk 

And  drink  up  all  the  cream." 

Then  pussy's  eyes  grew  very  big, 

And  pussy's  tail  went  thump, 
It  frightened  little  mousie  so 

It  almost  made  her  jump. 

And  pussy  said :     "Now,  mousie  mind 

Our  mistress  here  to-day, 
And  if  you  say  another  word, 

I'll  eat  you  right  away." 


ELDER  JOHNSON'S  LECTURE  ON  CATS. 


THE  subject  of  this  lecture  is  Cats,  a  domestic  animal  what  is 
in  common  use.     Cats  is  a  animal  as  resembles  poor  peo- 
,;  pie,  as  they  scratches  for  a  living,  and  never  has  enough.     Cats  is 
lazy,  wherein  they  resemble  the  rich.     Women  am  fond  of  cats — 
p'raps  because  both  uses  their  claws  in  asserting  their  rites — cats 
on  Toms  and  rats  and  mice,  and  little  birds,  and  women  on  their 
husbands — which   accounts    for   the   great   number   of   divorces. 
Cats  likes  milk,  but  not  water,  hence  the  aversion  that  milkmen 
have  to  'em.     Cats  is  like  dandies,  as  they  have  great  whiskers 
and   white  teeth,   and  is   fond  of  gallivanting  about,   especially 
Thomas  Cats.     There  are  always  a  war  between  cats  and  rats. 
I  Cats  has  lofty  naturs,  as  they  gets  on  the  house-tops,  and  ascends 
to  the  utmost  branches  of  the  tallest  trees.     Robinson  Crusoe  had 
i  a  cat,  and  so  had  Mahomet.     Cats  is  anti-Malthusians,  and  in- 
i  creases  in  geometrical  progression,  or  more.     The  productions 
i  of  cats  is  kittens  and  electric  sparks.     This  is  all  there  is  about 
i  eats,  except  caterwaulin',  which  they  shares  with  human  bein's. 


70 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


R  SUNDAY  EPISODE 

BY   HERBERT  RANDALL. 


goose,  a.  "frog,  a  cat, a  dog 
All  went  to  church  one  d&y; 
The  goose  went  on  a  .head, the  rest 
Alfrollowed  on  this  way 


Wher\  they  got  there  they  heard  the  choir, 

And  all  beo^an  to  sing, 
Thego o s e , the  f?og, the  c at ,  the  dog, 

Twas  such  a  funny  thing ! 


The  goose  wenCHonk-  a -wonk-e-konk! 

I  can't  tell  how  just  now; 
The  frog  went  "Peep!'  the  catwenrMew," 

The  dog  went  "Bow -wow -wow!" 

The  people  wouldn't  have  them  there, 
They  turned  them  out,  and  then 

The  goose,  the  frog,  the  cat,the  dog 
\vfer>t  walking  home  again . 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  y\ 


LITTLE  KITTENS. 


T 


HREE  little  kittens  in  coats  so  grey, 
Went  out  with  the  old  mother  cat  one  day. 


Said  the  first  little  kitten,  "If  we  only  might  see 
A  monstrous  great  rat,  what  fun  it  would  be!" 

Said  the  next  little  kitten,  "I'd  seize  hold  of  his  head, 
And  bite  him,  and  squeeze  him,'  until  he  was  dead." 

Said  the  third  little  kitten,  "Should  I  see  a  rat, 
I'd  eat  him  all  up  in  much  less  time  than  that." 

Suddenly  something  jumped  out  of  the  wood — 
All  three  turned  and  ran  as  fast  as  they  could, 

And  never  once  stopped  till  they  came  to  their  house. 
Yet  it  wasn't  a  rat,  but  a  wee  baby  mouse. 

It  was  then  caught  and  eaten  by  old  mother  cat ; 
Said  the  three  little  kittens,  "Now,  just  think  of  that!" 


TWO  GRAY  KITS  AND  THE  GRAY  KITS'  MOTHER. 


TWO  gray  kits 
And  the  gray  kits'  mother5 
All  went  over 
The  bridge  together. 

The  bridge  broke  down, 
They  all  fell  in. 

"May  the  rats  go  with  you/' 
Says  Tom  Bolin. 


72  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

SANDY  JENKINS'S  REMARKS  ON  THE  BLACK  CAT. 


J.    D.    CORROTHERS. 


[From -"The  Black  Cat  Club,"  by  special  permission.] 

THE  cat — an'  pcrtickler  dc  Black  Cat — have  bin  a  pow'ful  an' 
'spectable  genamun  sense  Time  fnst  begun  to  wheel  his 
eternal  flight  ob  circumlocution  th'u'  endless  ages  ob  nitric  acid, 
quinessence  ob  floatin'  protoplasm,  and'  parliamentary  usage ! 

Long  befo'  de  earf  wah  made,  de  Black  Cat  had  graduated  fort: 
a  singin'  school  in  Mahs,  an'  had  created  de  planet  ob  Juan  Fer- 
nandez an'  de  islan'  ob  Mesopotamia ! 

De  cat  am  a  practical  pusson.  He  am  no  spring  chicken.  He 
am  gen'ly  cal'cated  to  hab  nine  libes,  but  dis  de  cunjah  man  'roun' 
de  co'nah  assures  me  am  a  sad  mistake.  He  hab  nine  hundred 
and  ninety-nine  libes,  libs  as  long  as  he  want  to  evah  time,  an',  lak 
de  good  Christ'an,  is  "bo'n  ag'in"  almose  any  ole  time.  Dat's 
why  de  Theosophists  sings  dey  sacred  solo,  "De  Cat  Come  Back." 

When  de  earf  wah  made  without  fo'm  er  void,  de  Black  Cat  wah 
dah  watchin'  de  whole  business,  an'  a-layin'  his  wires  foh  to  sen' 
Grobah  Clebelan'  to  de  United  States  senate  an'  Dick  Crokah  to 
de  happy  Ian'  o'  Canaan !  Fust  thing  he  done  wuz  to  cross  our  fo' 
parents'  luck  in  de  beautiful  Gahden  ob  Eden,  an'  sen'  po'  Adam 
out  to  play  football  wid  de  rattlesnakes  an'  In'juns  in  de  lonely 
Province  ob  Wes'  Virginny. 

De  Black  Cat  am  prone  to  ebil,  as  de  spahks  fly  up'ards.  He 
am  a  lubber  ob  de  back  fence,  de  telegraph  pole,  an'  de  midnight 
serenade.  Bootjacks,  pistols,  policemen's  clubs,  an'  missiles  kin 
not  stop  his  rapturous  ditty  to  de  pale-face  moon.  He  am  a  gen- 
amun !     He  am  de  mahvel  ob  de  nations  ! 

You  mout  ax  me  whut  de  Black  Cat  hab  done  foh  sufferin'  hu- 
manity. I  answer :  He  am  de  inventer  ob  de  watermillun,  co'n 
pone,  sweeten  'taters,  liquor,  an'  'possum ;  an'  wuz  de  fust  man 
to  teach  de  cullud  race  de  advisability  ob  eatin'  po'k  chops  when 
you's  flush  an'  libber  when  you's  hahd  up. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  73 

Oh,  de  Laud  will  provide !  Dat's  why  he  gib  us  our  oie  black 
cat  Mesmerizer  here  to  bring  us  good  luck  whahevah  we  goes  in 
de  United  Snakes  of  Americy,  while  some  ob  our  good  ole  moth- 
ers is  a-ben'in'  ovah  de  wash-tub,  'way  down  yondah  in  Dixie-Ian', 
sheddin'  briny  tears  an'  a-sighin' — "Whah's  ma  won'rin'  boy  to- 
night?"   . 

'N'  while  she's  wo'kin'  'n'  frettin',  hah  trifflin'  son's  down  on  de 
co-nah,  sunnin'  hisse'f  an  shootin'  dice,  an'  a-singin' : 

"Bells  am  a-ringin'  in  Memphis — 

Bells  am  a-ringin'  in  Cairo — 
De  sun's  done  sunk,  an'  de  alligatah's 

Dreamin'  in  de  deep  bayou; 
De  ole  folks  done,  gone  to  chu'ch, 

De  little  folks  done  gone  to  sleep — 
'Way  down  on  de  ole  homestead. 

I  'speck  dey's  grebin'  'bout  me; 
But  dey's  got  to  do  widout  me, 

Tho'  I  wuz  de  sweetes'  blossom 
In  de  ole  homestead." 

De  Black  Cat  hab  alius  bin  somebody.  Look,  whut  a  pull  he 
had  wid  ole  Isis,  one  o'  de  riches'  men  in  Egypt,  thousands  o' 
years  ago :  Cat  come  along  one  day,  he  did,  an'  crossed  Mr.  Isis' 
luck,  an'  dat  fellah  didn't  do  a  thing  but  beg  de  cat's  pawdon. 
an'  build  a  sacred  temple  to  him  Dat's  all  he  done  to  him !  An' 
don'  you  think  he  kin  take  keer  o'  us? — his  needy  an'  faithful 
chillun?  All  we's  got  to  do  is  to  wo'k  our  rabbit's  foot,  an'  say 
nothin',  an'  thaings'll  come  our  way. 


WHEBE  HAVE  YOU  BEEN? 


1  r>USSY-CAT,  Pussy-Cat, 
1         Where  have  you  been  ?" 
'I've  been  to  London 

To  look  at  the  Queen." 
'Pussy-Cat,  Pussy-Cat, 

What  did  you  there  ?" 
'I   frightened   a   little   mouse 

Under  the  chair." 


J4  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


KITTENS'  PROMENADE. 


WHITEFOOT,  Malta  and  Pussy-cat  Gray 
Went  to  walk  together  one  summer  day. 

Never  before  had  they  passed  the  gate, 

And  they  walked  with  pride,  with  tails  up  straight. 

"It's  very  charming,"  Miss  Whitefoot  sighed, 
"Who  would  have  thought  the  world  so  wide  ?" 

A  toad  and  a  grasshopper  sat  in  the  way — 
"What  giants  we  are !"  said  Pussy  Gray. 

"Mother  told  of  danger  outside  the  gate — 
There's  nothing  to  harm  us,"  said  Malta  sedate. 

Pussy  Gray  said,  "You  see,  I  suppose, 
How  very  foolish  of  late  she  grows." 

Just  then  a  dog  jumped  over  the  wall — 
And  spit  and  a  cloud  of  dust  were  all 

That  was  left.     The  kittens  brave  and  sedate 
Had  vanished  through  the  open  gate. 


ROBIN  REDBREAST  AND  PUSSY-CAT. 


LITTLE  Robin  Redbreast  sat  upon  a  tree, 
Up  went  Pussy-Cat,  and  down  went  he ; 
Down  went  Pussy-Cat,  and  away  Robin  ran ; 
Says  little  Robin  Redbreast,  "Catch  me  if  you  can." 

Little  Robin  Redbreast  jumped  upon  a  wall, 
Pussy-Cat  jumped  after  him,  and  almost  got  a  fall  ; 
Little  Robin  chirped  and  sang,  and  what  did  Pussy  say  ? 
Pussy-Cat  said,  "Mew,"  and  Robin  flew  away. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  75 

PARTNERSHIP. 


Margaret  Vandegrift. 


Y 


[Little  girl  addresses  the  mother  of  her  pet  kitten.] 

OU  need  not  be  looking  around  at  me  so ; 

She's  my  kitten  as  much  as  your  kitten,  you  know, 


And  I'll  take  her  wherever  I  wish  her  to  go. 

You  know  very  well  that  the  day  she  was  found, 

If  I  handn't  cried  she'd  surely  been  drowned, 

And  you  ought  to  be  thankful  she's  here  safe  and  sound. 

She's  only  just  crying  because  she's  a  goose ; 

I'm  not  squeezing  her — look  now — my  hands  are  quite  loose, 

You  may  as  well  hush,  for  it's  not  any  use. 

And  you  may  as  well  get  right  down  and  go  'way, 
You're  not  in  the  thing  we  are  going  to  play, 
And  remember  it  isn't  your  half  the  day. 

You're  forgetting  the  bargain  we  made,  and  so  soon ; 
In  the  morning  she's  mine,  and  yours  all  afternoon, 
And  you  couldn't  teach  her  to  eat  with  a  spoon. 

So  don't  let  me  hear  you  give  one  single  mew, 

For  you  know  what  will  happen  right  off  if  you  do, 

She'll  be  my  kitten  mornings  and  afternoons,  too. 


THE  PACE  THAT  KILLS. 


COUNTED  on  a  tortoise's  back, 
Pussy  Feathertail 
Cries,  "Next  time  I  take  a  ride 
I  will  try  a,  snail." 


76  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


PUSS  IN  MISCHIEF. 


miction  Poem. 


»T  1   THERE  are  you,  kitty? 
V  V       2\Vhere   are  you? — say. 
I've  scarcely  seen  you 
At  all  to-dav. 


3You're  not  in  mischief, 

I  hope,  my  dear ; 
Ah.  now  I  have  found  you! 

How  came  you  here? 

4That's  mother's  knitting, 

r'You  naughty  kit ! 
Oh  !  such  a  tangle 

You've  made  of  it ! 

6'Twas  that  which  kept  you 

So  very   still ; 
'Mamma  will  scold  you, 

I  know  she  will. 

8So,  puss,  come  to  me, 

You  rub  your  fur 
Against  my  fingers, 

And  say  "purr,  purr." 

9I  know  you  mean 
To  say,  "Don't  scold, 

So  close  in  my  arms 
My  puss  I'll  hold, 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  7Z 

10And  now,  I'll  tell  yon, 

My  little  pet. 
That  mother's  knitting 

You  must  not  get. 

"The  wool  will  never 

Be  wound,  I  fear ; 
12But  mother'll  forgive 

My  kitty  clear. 

DIRECTIONS. 

'Enters,  looks  all  around,  and  recites  first  line. 

2Recites  second  line  little  more  emphatically. 

3Walks  to  stage  L,  and  looks,  while  she  recites  in  anxious  tone ;  suddenly 
face  brightens. 

^Discovers  that  kitten  is  playing  with  her  mother's  knitting,  and  in  sur- 
prised voice  speaks. 

'"'Shakes  finger  at  kitten,  picks  up  knitting  and  examines  it. 

"Turns  and  looks  at  kitten,  who  seems  to  be  at  her  side. 

'Somewhat  anxiously.     Sits  down  and  looks  at  kitten. 

sKitten  climbs  into  lap  and  apparently  rubs  against  her  fingers.  Girl  looks 
down  as  if  to  scold. 

"Looks  into  kitten's  eyes;  hugs  kitten  close. 

10Shakes  finger  warningly  at  kitten,  which  she  holds  up  before  her.  Shows 
kitten  knitting ;  puts  knitting  down. 

"Looks  sorrowfully  at  the  hopelessly  tangled  wool. 

12Turns  suddenly  to  kitten,  as  if  the  clearness  of  her  kitten  will  cause  mother 
to  forgive  her;  finishes  hugging  the  kitten. 


DAME  TROT  AND  HER  CAT. 


DAME  TROT  and  her  cat 
Led  a  peaceable  life 
When  they  were  not  troubled 

With  other  folks'  strife. 
When  Dame  had  her  dinner 

Near  Pussy  would  wait, 
And  was  sure  to  receive 
A  nice  piece  from  her  plate. 


78  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

THAT  CAT. 


Ben  King. 


THE  cat  that  comes  to  my  window-sill 
When  the  moon  looks  cold  and  the  night  is  still- 
He  comes  in  a  frenzied  state  alone 
With  a  tail  that  stands  like  a  pine  tree  cone, 
And  says :  "I  have  finished  my  evening  lark, 
And  I  think  I  can  hear  a  hound  dog  bark. 
My  whiskers  are  froze  'nd  stuck  to  my  chin, 
I  do  wish  you'd  get  up  and  let  me  in." 
That  cat  gets  in. 

But  if  in  the  solitude  of  the  night 
He  doesn't  appear  to  be  feeling  right, 
And  rises  and  stretches  and  seeks  the  floor, 
And  some  remote  corner  he  would  explore, 
And  doesn't  feel  satisfied  just  because 
There's  no  good  spot  for  to  sharpen  his  claws, 
And  meows  and  canters  uneasy  about 
Beyond  the  least  shadow  of  any  doubt 
That  cat  s:ets  out. 


OLD  NURSERY  RHYME. 


POOR  pussy-cat  mew 
Jumped  over  a  coal 
And  burnt  a  great  hole 
In  her  best  petticoat. 
Poor  pussy-cat  mew 
Can't  have  any  milk, 
'Till  her  best  petticoat's 
Mended  with  silk. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  79 

FALSE  KINDNESS. 


THE  softest  little  fluff  of  fur! 
The  gentlest,  most  persuasive  purr! 
Oh,  everybody  told  me  that 
She  was  the  "loveliest  little  cat!" 
So  when  she  on  the  table  sprung-, 
And  lapped  the  cream  with  small  red  tongue, 
I  only  gently  put  her  down, 
And  said,  "No,  no !"  and  tried  to  frown ; 
But  if  I  had  been  truly  kind, 
I  should  have  made  that  kitten  mind! 

Now,  large  and  quick,  and  strong  of  will, 

She'll  spring  upon  that  table  still, 

And,  spite  of  all  my  watchful  care, 

Will  snatch  the  choicest  dainties  there; 

And  everybody  says,  "Scat,  scat! 

She's  such  a  dreadful,  dreadful,  cat !" 

But  I,  who  hear  them,  know,  with  shame, 

I  only  am  the  one  to  blame. 

For  in  the  days  when  she  was  young, 

And  lapped  the  cream  with  small  red  tongue, 

Had  I  to  her  been  truly  kind, 

I  should  have  made  that  kitten  mind. 


TURN  ABOUT. 


AUNT  MARY;    Nora,  you're  a  cruel  child.     Let  that  cat 
go  at  once. 
Nora  [banging  cat]  :     But  she's  been  naughty,  Aunty,  an'  Fm 
punishin'  her.     I  told  her  it  was  for  her  own  good,  an'  it  hurt 
me  more'n  it  hurt  her. 


8o  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

THE  SECRET  TOLD  PTJSSIE. 


Romantic  Pathetic  Monologue  for  a    Young  Lady.,- 


ALL  gone  to  the  opera,  Pussy,  but  me ; 
We  are  alone  in  this  rambling-  old  house. 
Afraid  ?     Not  I !     Come,  sit  on  my  knee, 

And  tell  me  your  stories  of  dog  and  mouse. 
Do  you  hear  the  wind — how  it  sobs  and  grieves  ? 
And  the  rain  falling  down  on  the  moss-grown  eaves  ? 

Let  us  turn  off  the  gas  and  sit  on  the  rug ; 

How  the  firelight  brightens  the  long  old  room, 
With  its  scarlet  fancies!     Puss,  are  you  snug? 

You  know  in  one's  youth  one  should  never  know  gloom. 
That  is  what  mamma  told  me  to-day 
When  I  sighed,  and  forgot  one  should  always  be  gay. 

Do  you  see  any  pictures  in  the  fire, 

Pussy,  my  dear,  with  your  solemn  eyes? 
Pictures  of  river  and  castle  and  spire — 

Or  only  of  milk  and  a  mouse's  surprise  ? 
I  see,  ah,  Pussy,  eyes  of  brown, 
And  a  brow  that  is  royal  enough  for  a  crown. 

I  see  a  smile  that  is  sweet  and  rare, 

A  hand  that  is  gentle  and  strong  and  true; 

I  see  a  summer-tide  swift  and  fair, 

With  golden  sunshine  and  skies  of  blue. 

Oh,  what  shall  I  do  with  the  long,  long  years  ? 

Pussy,  forgive  me,  you  don't  like  tears. 

The  firelight  flickers  on  picture  and  wall, 

On  book-case  and  bracket,  and  statue  white — 

Pussy,  do  you  remember  a  ball 

That  happened  a  year  ago  to-night? 


(See  page  52.) 


"Two's  company,  three's  none." 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  81 

One  little  year !    How  the  seasons  bring 
Changes  that  only  blight  and  sting ! 

"Sorrow  is  sorrow  to  the  old 

But  death  to  the  young,"  ah,  Pussy,  I've  read; 
Perhaps,  if  these  curls  were  gray  and  not  gold 

I  wouldn't  wish  to-night  I  were  dead. 
Not  twenty  yet — and  all  joy  o'er, 
Oh,  Pussy,  Pussy,  for  evermore ! 

There,  there,  Pussy !    No  more  tears. 

Let's  have  a  romp  in  the  firelight  glow; 
Other  hearts  have  beat  on  through  the  years 

When  love  and  faith  were  lying  low ; 
Mayhap,  in  soothing  another's  pain 
We  forget  our  own.    Just  hear  the  rain  ! 

But  to-morrow,  I  doubt  not,  the  sun  will  shine, 
And  the  clouds  be  only  a  dream  of  the  night. 

Why  should  we  cherish  a  woe  divine? 

Let  us  hide  it  away  from  the  sun  and  light. 

Forgetting  one's  self  is  hard,  I  fear ; 

But  we'll  each  try  bravely,  Pussy,  my  dear. 

Let  us  say  "good-bye"  to  the  dreams  of  the  past — 

And,  Pussy,  my  comfort,  never  you  tell 
Of  the  chat  that  has  made  these  hours  fly  fast. 

One  more  frolic — oh,  there  is  the  bell ! 
I  hear  them  laughing  upon  the  stair — 
Eternal  secrecy,  Pussy,  swear ! 


A  NOCTURNAL  SHOT. 


HE  threw  his  small  clock  at  a  cat — 
He  missed  her,  you  can  bet; 
The  clock  it  stopped  at  half-past  three, 
The  cat  is  going  yet. 


82 


CATS  'AND  KITTENS. 
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CATS   AND   KITTENS.  83 

Kittens  in  the  garden, 

Looking  in  her  face, 
Learning  how  to  spit  and  swear, 

O  what  a  disgrace. 
Very  wrong,  very  wrong, 

Very  wrong  and  bad; 
Such  a  subject  for  our  song, 

Makes  us  all  too  sad. 


Old  Mother  Tabbyskins, 

Sticking  out  her  head, 
Gave  a  howl  and  then  a  yowl, 

Hobbled  off  to  bed. 
Very  sick,  very  sick, 

Very  savage,  too ; 
Pray  send  for  a  doctor,  quick — 

Any  one  will  do! 

Doctor  Mouse  came  creeping, 

Creeping  to'her  bed; 
Lanced  her  gums  and  felt  her  pulse, 

Whispered  she  was  dead. 
Very  sly,  very  sly, 

The  real  old  cat, 
Open  kept  her  weather  eye — 

Mouse !  beware  of  that ! 

Old  Mother  Tabbyskins, 

Saying,  "serves  him  right/ 
Gobbled  up  the  Doctor, 

With  infinite  delight. 
"Very  fast,  very  fast, 

Very  pleasant,  too, — 
What  a  pity  it  can't  last ! 

Bring  another,  do." 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Doctor  Dog  conies  running-. 

Just  to  see  her  begs ; 
Round  his  neck  a  comforter, 

Trousers  on  his  legs. 
Very  grand,  very  grand, 

Golden  headed  cane 
Swinging  gaily  from  his  hand, 

Mischief  in  his  brain. 

Ah,  Mother  Tabbyskins, 

Who  is  now  afraid? 
Of  poor  little  Doctor  Mouse 

You  a  mouthful  made. 
Very  nice,  very  nice, 

Little  doctor  he : 
But  for  Doctor  Dog's  advice, 

You  must  pay  the  fee. 

Doctor  Dog  comes  nearer, 
Says  she  must  be  bled ;    . 

I  heard  Mother  Tabbyskins 
Screaming  in  her  bed. 

Very  near,  very  near, 

Scuffling  out  and  in, 
Doctor  Dog  looks  full  and  queer, 

Where  is  Tabbyskins? 

I  will  tell  tbe  moral 

Without  any   fuss ; 
Those  who  lead  the  young  astray, 

Always  suffer  thus ! 
Very  nice,  very  nice, 

Let  our  conduct  be ; 
For  all  doctors  are  not  mice — 

Some  are  dogs,  you  see, 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  85 

TOPSY. 


I   HAVE  the  dearest  kitten 
Your  eyes  did  ever  see, 
And  oh !  such  merry  times  she  has, 
My  kitty  dear,  with  me. 

Her  coat  is  soft  and  silky, 

And  just  as  black  as  ink, 
That's  why  I  call  her  Topsy : 

A  good  name,  don't  you  think? 

Where  did  my  pussy  come  from  ? 

You  cannot  guess,  I  fear. 
Why,  Father  Christmas  brought  her, 

Now,  wasn't  he  a  dear? 

Just  by  my  Christmas  stocking 

A  little  hamper  stood, 
And  when  I  lifted  up  the  lid, 

My  darling  kitty  mewed. 

It  was  as  if  she  said  to  me, 

"Please  take  me  out,  dear  May," 

And  so  I  took  her  in  my  arms, 
And  quietly  she  lay. 

But  soon  some  lovely  romps  we  had, 

My  kitty  dear  and  I, 
All  round  the  room,  upstairs  and  down, 

To  race  me  she  did  try. 

And  when  each  morning  comes  again, 

And  I  get  out  of  bed, 
I  run  to  feed  my  kitty 

[With  nice,  new  milk  and  bread. 


86  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

But  one  day,  oh,  my  Topsy ! 

A  sad,  sad  tale  I  heard, 
Tom  says  you  scampered  up  a  tree, 

After  a  little  bird. 

I'm  sure  I  don't  know  how  you  could, 
Birds  are  such  pretty  things ; 

I  hope  you  did  not  catch  it,  puss, 
I'm  glad  that  it  had  wings. 

Perhaps  it  flew  away  from  you, 
So  I  will  scold  no  more, 

But  love  my  Topsy,  every  day, 
Just  as  I  did  before. 


MY  LITTLE  GRAY  KITTY  AND  I. 


Wi.IEN   the   north   wind   whistles   round   the   house, 
Piling  snowdrifts  high, 
We  nestle  down  on  the  warm  hearth-rug — 

My  little  gray  kitty  and  I. 
I  tell  her  about  my  work  and  play, 

And  all  I  mean  to  do, 
And  she  purrs  so  loud,  I  surely  think 
That  she  understands — don't  you  ? 

She  looks  about  with  her  big,  round  eyes, 

And  softly  licks  my  face, 
As  I  tell  her  'bout  the  word  I  missed, 

And  how  I  have  lost  my  place. 
Then  let  the  wind  whistle,  for  what  to  us 

Matters  a  stormy  sky? 
Oh,  none  have  such  jolly  times  as  we — 

My  little  gray  kitty  and  I. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  87 


PUSS  AND  HER  THREE  KITTENS. 


Tom  Hood. 


[Give  in  an  animated  style  and  tone  of  voice."] 

OUR  old  cat  has  kittens  three — 
What  do  you  think  their  names  should  be  ? 
One  is  tabby,  with  emerald  eyes, 

And  a  tail  that's  long  and  slender, 
And  into  a  temper  she  quickly  flies 
If  you  ever  by  chance  offend  her. 

I  think  we  shall  call  her  this — 
I  think  we  shall  call  her  that; 
Now,  don't  you  think  "Pepperpot" 
A  nice  name  for  a  cat? 

One  is  black,  with  a  frill  of  white, 

And  her  feet  are  all  white  fur,  too ; 
If  you  stroke  her  she  carries  her  tail  upright, 
And  quickly  begins  to  pur,  too, 
I  think  we  shall  call  her  this — 
I  think  we  shall  call  her  that; 
Now,  don't  you  fancy,  "Sootikin" 
A  nice  name  for  a  cat? 

One  is  a  tortoise  shell,  yellow  and  black, 

With  a  lot  of  white  about  him ; 
If  you  tease  him,  at  once  he  sets  up  his  back; 
He's  a  quarrelsome  Tom,  ne'er  doubt  him ! 
I  think  we  shall  call  him  this — 
I  think  we  shall  call  him  that; 
Now,  don't  you  fancy  "Scratchaway" 
A  nice  name  for  a  cat? 


88  CATS   'AND   KITTENS. 

Our  old  cat  has  kittens  three, 
And  I  fancy  these  their  names  will  be : 
"Pepperpot,"  Sootikin,"  Scratchaway" — there 
Were  there  ever  kittens  with  these  to  compare? 
And  we  call  the  old  mother — now,  what  do  you  think  ? 
iTabitha  Longclaws  Tidleywink. 


NOBODY  DID  IT. 


NOBODY  b'oke  it!    It  cracked  itself, 
It  was  clear  'way  up  on  the  toppest  shelf. 
I — p'rhaps  the  kitty-cat  knows  !" 
Says  poor  little  Ned, 
With  his  ears  as  red 
As  the  heart  of  a  damask  rose. 

"Nobody  lost  it!    I  carefully 

Put  my  cap  just  where  it  ought  to  be, 

(No,  'tisn't  ahind  the  door), 

And  it  went  and  hid, 

Why,  of  course,  it  did, 
For  I've  hunted  an  hour  or  more." 

"Nobody  tore  it!    You  know  things  will 
Tear  if  you're  sitting  just  stock-stone  still! 
I  was  jumping  over  the  fence — 

There's  some  spikes  on  top,, 

And  you  have  to  drop 
Before  you  can  half  commence." 

Nobody !  wicked  Sir  Nobody ! 
Playing  such  tricks  on  all  about  thee . 
If  I  but  set  eyes  on  you. 

You  should  find  what  you've  lost 

But  that  to  my  cost, 
I  never  am  like  to  do ! 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  89 


THREE  MAIDENS  FAIR. 


Concert  Recitation  and  Pantomime. 


Stanley  Schell. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


[Three  girls  in  elaborate  gowns.  Each  gown  has  a  long  cat-tail  attached 
at  back,  and  each  girl  wears  a  cat-mask  suited  to  color  of  cat  she  repre- 
sents. On  each  girl's  head,  just  back  of  ears,  is  a  lady's  hat,  with  three 
plumes  drooping  forward.  The  hat  is  kept  in  place  by  white-lawn  stream- 
ers, tied  in  big  bow  beneath  chin.  One  girl  wears  chain,  with  lorgnette, 
which  she  uses  occasionally ;  another  girl  carries  fancy  parasol  over  shoul- 
der; the  third  girl  carries  very  showy  fan,  which  she  uses  at  different 
times.  Gloves  should  be  worn  by  all  girls.  Girls  enter  from  stage  rear 
with  mincing  steps,  and  trip  to  stage  front,  doing  all  sorts  of  things  with 
lorgnette,  parasol  and  fan  until  stage  front  is  reached.  Then  all  stand 
still  and  look  at  audience,  then  look  sad  a  moment,  and  recite  in  concert 
the  following:] 


M 


ANY  years  ago  there  lived 

Three  o*f  us  maidens  fair  and  bright ; 


But  to  sorrow  we  were  doomed, 
All  through  a  fairy's  spite ; 
For  she  wanted  us  to  wed 
Three  sons  of  hers,  we  wot ; 
But  we  maidens  all  refused, 
And  hence  this  weary  lot. 
Pity,  friends,  we  ask  of  you, 
Doomed  for  years  to  cry  me-you! 

In  this  castle  were  we  shut,, 
Many  years  ago; 
Here  for  weary  days  and  nights, 
Our  pearly  tears  did  flow. 
Each  a  handsome  lover  met 
Within  the  garden  fair ; 


90 


CATS   AND  KITTENS. 

But  that  fairy  changed  them  all 
To  mice,  and  kept  them  there — 
Changed  them  into  three  white  mice, 
And  then  devoured  them  in  a  trice ! 

Then  not  satisfied  with  this, 

While  we  poor  maidens  sat 

Side  by  side,  that  fairy  came, 

And  changed  us  into  cats ! 

Here  we  must  stay  to  pine  and  mope, 

In  feline  misery, 

'Till  three  princes  come  to  woo, 

And  wed,  and  set  us  free — 

Me-you  !     There  come  three  princes  true ! 

And  now  again  we'll  happy  maidens  be. 


KITTENS'  BLIND-MAN'S-BUFF. 


BLIND-MAN'S-BUFF  is  my  name. 
Do  you  know  how  to  play  the  game? 
First  shut  your  eyes,  then  open  me, 
And  you  shall  see— what  you  shall  see  I 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  9* 

TATTERS,  THE  CAT. 


Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender. 


Written  especially  far  this  book. 


I    WILL  tell  you  a  story  of  Tatters,  the  cat, 
Who  was  good,  if  not  handsome,  and  sleek,  and  so  fat, 
And  his  coat  it  was  ragged  [which  caused  his  queer  name], 
Did  not  lessen  his  value— he  was  loved  all  the  same. 

Now,  one  day  he  was  longing  to  go  on  the  street, 
Just  to  see  the  fine  sights,  it  would  be  such  a  treat ; 
He  was  clever,  he  thought,  as  he  planned  it  all  o'er, 
And  he  said,  'Til  be  gone  but  an  hour,  and  no  more." 

Oh,  he  never  meant  wrong,  he  was  seeking  some  fun, 
And  to  have  his  own  way,  why,  he  skipped  out  and  run. 
He  was  foolish,  like  children  so  often,  you  see, 
That  he  got  unawares  in  some  bad  company. 

He  was  easy  and  free,  and.  I'm  sorry  to  say, 
How  he  went  at  the  call  of  some  boys  from  his  play. 
Now,  they  coaxed  him  at  first  till  he  thought  each  a  friend, 
All  so  trustful  was  Tatters,  he  dreamed  not  the  end : 

For  he  looked  in  their  faces  and  purred  his  soft  way, 
And  the  shame  of  those  boys  when  they  scat  him  away ; 
And  so  timid  he  grew,  and  so  wild  in  his  flight, 
That  'way  down  a  dark  alley  he  stayed  all  the  night. 

And  his  eyes,  they  shone  bright — like  two  coals  in  his  head. 
It  was  damp,  and  so  cold,  and  the  ground  was  his  bed ; 
How  he  crouched  all  in  fear,  tho'  no  harm  he  had  done, 
From  those  wicked  young  boys,  who  were  friends,  no,  not  one. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

He  was  far  from  his  home,  and  his  coat  it  was  rough, 
And  more  tattered  it  grew  from  the  kicks  and  the  cuffs 
He  would  get  from  the  boys  as  he  sought  food  to  eat, 
So  he  stayed  in  the  alley  and  avoided  the  street. 

And  his  life  was  so  sad,  that  he  soon  pined  away, 
From  the  day  he  had  run  to  the  street  just  to  play ; 
And  one  morning  those  boys  threw  a  stone  at  his  head, 
It  could  not  hurt  Tatters,  for  the  poor  cat  was  dead. 


JUST  PLAIN  CAT. 


Jennie  Pendleton  Ewing. 


OUR  neighbor's  cat  is  Persian,  the  Jones's  cat  Maltese ; 
Aunty's  big  Angora  has  feathers  to  her  knees 
(At  least  they  look  like  feathers),  and  a  tail  so  big  and  white, 
When  that  kitty  meets  a  puppy  dog,  I  tell  you  it's  a  sight ! 
But  when  I  ask,  "What  breed  is  mine — my  pussy,  sleek  and  fat?'' 
They  laugh  and  pull  my  curls,  and  say,  "I  fear — just  plain  cat." 

It's  true  her  eyes  aren't  yellow,  her  tail  is  rather  small, 

I  don't  know  if  she  ever  had  a  ped-i-gree  at  all. 

(That  big  word  means  her  mother,  her  grandma,  too,  they  say, 

That  they  all  took  prizes  at  a  show,  were  marked  a  special  way.) 

What  do  I  care  for  markings,  for  prizes  and  all  that? 

My  kitty's  just  as  precious  if  she  is  just  plain  cat. 

She  is  the  dearest  kitten,  all  scamper  and  all  fur ! 

Not  one  of  all  my  other  pets  can  make  me  laugh  like  her. 

She  may  be  very  common,  but  I  know  she's  good  and  true, 

For  she  meets  me  when  I  come  from  school  with  loving  little  mew ; 

And  when  she's  round  we  never  see  a  teenchy  mouse  or  rat, 

And  I  b'lieve  I  love  her  better  'cause  she's  just  plain  cat! 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  93 


PUSSY'S  DREAM. 


DAME  PUSS  fell  asleep  in  the  great  arm-chair, 
And  she  dreamed  a  dream  that  was  strange  and  rare. 
She  dreamed  that  the  mice  were  to  give  a  grand  ball, 
And  begged  her  to  come  and  dance  with  them  all. 

Pussy  said,  in  her  dream,  with  a  curtsy  low, 
"With  pleasure,  dear  friends,  to  your  ball  I'll  go." 
But  she  said  to  herself  with  a  sly  little  mew, 
"I'll  dance  with  you,  yes, — but  I'll  eat  you,  too." 

When  Pussy  arrived  at  Castle  Mouse 

She  really  could  hardly  get  into  the  house ; 

For  the  house  it  was  small  and  the  crowd  it  was  great, 

And  besides  Madame  Puss  was  a  whole  hour  late. 

When  she  reached  the  great  hall,  which  was  really  quite  high, 
The  mice  placed  before  her  a  huge,  mammoth  pie ; 
And  they  said,  "Lady  Puss,  you  are  hungry,  we  fear, 
So  the  best  of  our  dainties  we've  brought  for  you  here." 

So  Puss  with  good-will  set  to  work  at  the  food, 
For  the  smell  of  that  pastry,  oh,  wasn't  it  good  ? 
She  picked  and  she  licked,  and  she  gobbled  away, 
And  wished  it  might  last  for  a  year  and  a  day. 

And  when  it  was  gone,  Pussy  thought  with  a  sigh — 
"Ah,  how  will  the  mice  taste,  now — after  the  pie. 
However,  I'll  eat  them,  of  course,  since  they're  here." 
She  looked  up— no  sign  of  a  mouse  anywhere. 

No  sign  of  a  mouse, — and  the  door  it  was  shut. 
Pussy  made  every  effort  to  open  it,  but, — 
It  was  firm  double  locked,  and  the  windows  were  barred, 
With  railing's  of  iron  all  heavv  and  hard. 


94  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

To  make  matters  worse,  as  each  window  she  tried, 
She  heard  the  mice  giggling-  and  squeaking  outside. 
By  their  shrill  cries  of  triumph,  they  thought,  it  was  plain, 
That  their  enemy  never  could  get  out  again. 

At  this  Pussy's  courage  at  once  did  revive, — 
"What,  stay  here,"  she  cried,  "and  be  buried  alive, — 
Be  eaten  by  mice  when  my  sufferings  are  over, — 
No — never — miow !     I  will  break  down  the  door." 

She  gathered  her  strength  for  a  terrible  spring, 
And  flew  at  the  door  like  a  bird  on  the  wing. 
Crash,  smash  went  the  panels ;  one  more  frantic  leap, 
And,  then — why  Dame  Pussy  awoke  from  her  sleep. 

And  there  she  was  sitting  in  master's  arm-chair; 

No  castle,  no  pie,  not  a  mouse  anywhere. 

She  stretched  herself  yawning,  and,  rubbing  her  eyes,  \ 

And  looked  all  around  with  the  greatest  surprise. 

Ah,  Pussy,  t'was  only  a  dream,  dear,  but  still 
'Twas  a  dream  full  of  warning  for  good  or  for  ill ; 
When  you  go  to  Mouse  Castle,  just  take  my  advice, 
Before  touching  the  pastry,  first  eat  up  the  mice. 


DOGS  AND  CATS. 


Alexander  Dumas. 


IT  is  admitted  that  the  dog  has  intelligence,  a  heart  and  perhaps 
a  soul,  likewise  it  is  agreed  that  the  cat  is  a  traitor,  deceiver, 
thief,  an  egotist,  an  ingrate.  How  many  have  we  not  heard  say : 
"Oh,  I  cannot  abide  a  cat !  it  is  an  animal  that  loves  not  its  master ; 
it  is  attached  only  to  the  house ;  one  must  keep  it  under  lock  and 
key.  I  had  one  once,  for  I  was  in  the  country  and  there  were 
mice.     The  cook  had  the  imprudence  to  leave  upon  the  table  a 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  95 

poulet  that  she  had  just  purchased;  the  cat  carried  it  off,  no 
morsel  of  it  was  ever  seen  after.  Since  that  day  I  have  said :  'I 
will  have  no  cat.'  "  Its  reputation  is  detestable,  the  fact  cannot 
be  disguised,  and  one  must  acknowledge  that  the  cat  does  nothing 
to  modify  the  opinion  in  which  it  is  held.  It  is  entirely  unpopu- 
lar, but  it  cares  as  little  about  this  as  it  does  about  the  Grand 
Turk.  Must  I  confess  it  to  you?  It  is  for  this  that  I  love  it, 
for  in  this  world  one  can  remain  indifferent  to  things  the  most 
serious — if  there  are  serious  things,  and  this  one  knows  only  at  the 
end  of  his  life;  but  he  cannot  evade  the  question  of  dogs  and  cats. 
There  is  always  a  moment  when  he  must  declare  himself.  Well, 
then !  I  love  cats  !     Ah !  the  times  they  have  said  to  me : 

"What,  you  love  cats  ?" 

"Yes!" 

"Do  you  not  like  dogs  better?" 

"No,  I  love  cats  much  more." 

"That  is  extraordinary." 

I  prefer  certainly  to  have  neither  cat  nor  dog,  but  were  I  forced 
to  live  with  one  of  these  two  individuals,  I  would  choose  the  cat. 
It  has  for  me  the  manners  essential  to  social  relations.  At  first, 
in  its  early  youth,  it  possesses  all  the  graces,  all  the  suppleness,  all 
the  unexpectedness  by  which  the  most  exacting,  artistic  fancy  can 
be  amused !  It  is  adroit,  it  always  knows  where  it  is.  Prudent 
unto  caution,  it  goes  everywhere,  it  examines  without  soiling, 
breaking  nothing ;  it  is  in  itself  a  warmth  and  a  caress ; 
it  has  not  a  snout,  but  a  mouth — and  what  a  mouth !  It 
steals  the  mutton  as  does  the  dog,  but,  unlike  the  latter,  makes  no 
delight  of  carrion ;  it  is  discreet  and  of  fastidious  cleanliness, 
which  might  be  well  imitated  by  a  number  of  its  detractors.  It 
washes  its  face,  and  in  so  doing  foretells  the  weather  into  the  bar- 
gain. One  can  entertain  the  idea  of  putting  a  ribbon  around  its 
neck,  never  a  collar ;  it  cannot  be  enslaved.  It  permits  no  modifi- 
cations in  its  race;  it  lends  itself  to  no  combinations  that  indus- 
tries could  attempt.  The  cat  reflects,  this  is  obvious,  contrary  to 
the  dog,  a  lackbrain  whose  rabies  is  his  crowning  idiocy.  In  short, 
the  cat  is  a  dignified,  proud,  disdainful  animal  that  hides  its  love 


g6  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

affairs  in  the  shadows,  almost  within  the  clouds,  upon  the  roofs, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  night-working  students.  It  defies  advances, 
tolerates  no  insults,  it  abandons  the  house  in  which  it  is  not 
treated  according  to  its  merits ;  in  short,  the  cat  is  truly  an  aris- 
tocrat in  type  and  origin,  whereas  the  dog  is  and  ever  will  be 
naught  but  a  vulgar  parvenu  by  dint  of  complaisance. 

The  sole  argument  at  all  plausible  against  the  cat  is  that  it  de- 
stroys the.  birds,  the  nightingales  as  well  as  the  sparrows.  If  the 
dog  does  not  as  much  it  is  because  he  is  too  clumsy  and  stupid. 
He  runs  also  after  the  birds,  but  barking,  the  birds  escape  him, 
and  he  stays  behind  completely  dumbfounded,  open-mouthed  and 
with  astonished  tail.  He  makes  up  for  it  upon  the  partridges  and 
rabbits,  after  two  years'  submission  to  the  strong  collar  in  order 
to  learn  this  art,  and  it  is  not  for  himself,  but  for  the  hunter,  that 
he  goes  in  quest  of  game.  The  imbecile !  He  persecutes  the  ani- 
mals, an  animal  himself,  for  the  profit  of  the  man  who  beats  him. 
At  least,  when  the  cat  catches  a  bird  she  has  an  excuse ;  it  is  to 
eat  it  herself.  Why  would  that  authorize  man  to  slander  her? 
Let  men  regard  one  another!  They  will  see  in  their  race,  as  in | 
that  of  cats,  those  who  have  claws  and  have  no  other  preoccupa- 
tion but  to  destroy  those  who  have  wings. 


MISTRESS  KITTY. 


CC  ft  jl  ISTRESS  KITTY,  from  the  city, 
1 V 1      How  do  your  kittens  grow  ? 
With  eyes  so  bright, 
And  fur  so  white, 
And  teeth  a  shining  row?" 

"My  kittens  white,  my  heart's  delight, 
Their  fur  is  just  like  snow; 

They  play  and  fight 

From  morn  till  night, 
And  that's  the  way  they  grow." 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  97 

THE  FAMILY  CAT. 


I  CAN  fold  up  my  claws 
In  my  soft  velvet  paws, 
And  purr  in  the  sun 
Till  the  short  day  is  done — 

For  I  am  the  family  cat. 
I  can  doze  by  the  hour 
In  the  vine-covered  bower, 
Winking  and  blinking, 
Through  sunshine  and  shower — 

For  I  am  the  family  cat. 

From  gooseberry  bush 
Or  where  bright  currants  blush, 
I  may  suddenly  spring 
For  a  bird  on  the  wing ; 
Or  dart  up  a  tree, 
If  a  brown  nest  I  see, 
And  select  a  choice  morsel 
For  dinner  or  tea; 
And  no  one  to  blame  me, 
Berate  me,  or  shame  me — 
For  I  am  the  family  cat. 

In  the  cold  winter  night, 

When  the  ground  is  all  white, 

And  the  icicles  shine 

In  a  long  silver  line, 

I  stay  not  to  shiver 

In  the  moonbeam's  pale  quiver, 

But  curl  up  in  the  house, 

As  snug  as  a  mouse, 

And  play  Jacky  Horner 

In  the  cosiest  corner ; 


98 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Breaking  nobody's  laws, 
With  my  chin  or  my  paws, 
Asleep  with  one  eye,  and 
Awake  with  the  other 
For  pats  from  the  children. 
Kind  words  from  the  mother — 
For  I  am  the  family  cat. 


DOCTOR  TOM  MEW. 


TFIIS  is  the  Schoolmaster,  Doctor  Tom  Mew, 
Who  teaches  young  kittens,  and  birches  them,  too ; 
When  he  cries,  "Silence!"  each  pupil  turns  pale, 
And  trembles  right  down  to  the  tip  of  his  tail. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  99 

WHERE  IS  MY  KITTY? 


Action  Poem. 


1  xs  ITTY,  kitty,  kitty ! 

1\    ,  2Where  can  you  he? 
3Perhaps  you're  in  the  garden ; 

4I'll  run  out  and  see. 

F'She's  not  in  the  garden; 

And  not  in  the  shed ; 
eOh,  what  shall  I  do 

If  my  kitty  is  dead! 

'I'll  look  in  mamma's  room; 

8F11  look  in  my  chair; 
•I'll  look  on  the  table, 
But  no  kitty  is  there. 

10You've  found  her,  the  darling, 
"What,  there,  you  don't  say  ? 
12Asleep  in  the  barn, 

Cuddled  up  in  the  hay, 
My  kitty. 

DIRECTIONS. 
fChild  runs  in  calling. 
2Stops  and  looks  about. 

sAs  if  thinking  a  moment,  shakes  head  as  she  recites  the  line. 
"Recites  fourth  line  and  runs  out  a  moment. 
5Enters  hurriedly  and  tells  audience. 
■Sorrowfully.     Stands  disconsolate  a  moment. 
7Recites  line,  skips  to  entrance  near  R.   front  and  looks  in ;  comes  back, 

and  stops  a  moment,  as  if  thinking. 
!8Recites  line ;  goes  and  looks  in  chair ;  stops  a  moment. 
:9Recites  third  line ;  goes  and  looks  at  table ;  seeing  no  kitty,  looks  heartsick 

and  ready  to  cry. 
"Looks   up  and   off   L.  suddenly;    face   brightens   as   she   listens.      Recites 

line,  full  of  joy  and  animation  and  love. 
"Listens ;  speaks  as  if  astonished.     Takes  kitten  in  her  arms  very  lovingly. 
"Talks  to  kitty  very  lovingly,  drawling  out  on  "My  Kitty."     Gives  kitty  a 

loving  squeeze. 


Koq  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


KATHIE'S  STORY. 


NOW  stay  right  still  and  listen,  kitty-cat,  and  I'll  tell  you  a 
story : 

Once  there  was  a  little  girl.  She  was  a  pretty  good  little  girl, 
and  minded  her  papa  and  mamma  everything  they  said,  only  some- 
times she  didn't,  and  then  she  was  naughty ;  but  she  was  always 
sorry,  and  said  she  wouldn't  do  so  any  more,  and  her  mamma'd 
forgive  her. 

So  she  was  going  to  hang  up  her  stocking. 

"You'll  have  to  be  pretty  good,  lest  'twon't  be  filled,"  said  her  i 
mamma. 

"'Less  may  be  there'll  be  a  big  bunch  of  sticks  in  it,"  said  her 
papa. 

Do  you  think  that's  a  nice  way  to  talk,  kitty-cat  ?     I  don't. 

So  the  little  girl  was  good  as  she  could  be,  and  didn't  cry  nor 
slap  her  little  sister  hardly  any  at  all,  and  always  minded  her 
mamma,  specially  when  she  came  where  the  chimney  was. 

So  she  hung  up  her  stocking.  And  in  the  night  she  got  awake 
and  wanted  it  to  come  morning ;  but  in  the  morning  she  didn't  get 
awake  till  'twas  all  sunshiny  outdoor.  Then  she  ran  quick  as  she 
could  to  look  at  her  stocking  where  she'd  hung  it ;  and  true's  you 
live,  kitty-cat,  there  wasn't  the  leastest  little  mite  of  a  scrimp ! 

Oh,  the  little  girl  felt  dreadful ! 

How'd  you  feel  s'pose  it  had  been  you,  kitty-cat? 

She  'menced  to  cry,  the  little  girl  did,  and  she  kept  going  harder 
and  harder,  till  bymby  she  screeched  orfly,  and  her  mamma  came 
running  to  see  what  was  the  matter. 

"Mercy  me !"  said  her  mamma.  "Look  over  by  the  window  'fore 
you  do  that  any  more,  Kathie." 

That  little  girl's  name  was  Kathie,  too,  kitty-cat,  just  the  same's 
mine. 

So  she  looked  over  by  the  window,  the  way  her  mamma  said, 
and — oh !  there  was  the  loveliest  dolly's  house  you  ever  saw  in  all 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  lot 

our  born  life.  It  had  curtains  to  pull  to  the  sides  when  you 
wanted  to  play,  and  pull  in  front  when  you  didn't.  There  was  a 
edroom,  kitty-cat,  and  a  dinner-room  and  a  kitchen  and  a  parlor, 
nd  they  all  had  carpets  on.  And  there  was  the  sweetest  dolly  in 
,ae  parlor,  all  dressed  up  in  blue  silk.  Oh,  dear !  And  a  penano 
d  play  real  little  tunes  on,  and  a  rocking-chair  and — O  kitty-cat, 

can't  begin  to  tell  you  half  about  it. 

I  can't  about  the  bedroom,  either,  nor  the  dinner-room.  But  the 
itchen  was  the  very  bestest  of  all.  There  was  a  stove — a  teenty, 
bnty  mite  of  a  one,  kitty-cat — with  dishes  just  'zactly  like  mam- 
la's,  only  littler,  of  course,  and  frying-pans  and  everything ;  and 
poons  to  stir  with,  and  a  rolling-pin  and  two  little  cutters-out, 
nd  the  darlingest  baker-sheet  ever  you  saw ! 

The  first  thing  that  little  girl  did  was  to  make  some  teenty  mites 
f  cookies,  'cause  her  mamma  let  her ;  and  if  you'll  come  right 
ownstairs,  kitty-cat,  I'll  give  you  one,  'cause  I  was  that  little  girl, 
itty-cat,  all  the  time. 


READY  FOR  BREAKFAST. 


MIOU,  miou,  miou ! 
I'm  ready  for  breakfast  now. 
I  want  to  be  fed 
On  milk  and  bread, 
Miou,  miou,  miou ! 


M  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


MISS  TABBY  CAT'S  RECEPTION. 


Elizabeth  L.  Gould. 


THE  eldest  Miss  Tabbycat  gave  an  "at  home," 
With  music  and  choice  recitations 
By  Signor  Angora,  quite  lately  from  Rome, 
Who  rendered  the  "Yowls  of  All  Nations." 

The  "Squalls  Without  Words,"  sung  by  Fraulien  von  Manx, 
Were  greeted  with  murmurs  of  " charming!" 

While  her  "Chanson  de  Alley"  elicited  thanks 
So  loud  they  were  almost  alarming. 

There  was,  too,  a  sonata,  composed,  by  .C.  Waul, 
Which  was  classic  and  claimed  the  attention 

For  fully  an  hour.     The  themes  one  and  all, 
Were  models  of  feline  invention. 

This  piece  and  the  trio,  "Beloved  Young  Mouse," 

Were  voted  the  evening's  successes, 
The  latter  was  purred  by  three  guests  of  the  house 

Who  wore  solid  tortoise  shell  dresses. 

The  pleasant  refreshments  were  freely  dispensed 
At  twelve.     There  were  crumbs  of  long  standing, 

And  milk  in  all  possible  forms,  save  condensed, 
Set  forth  on  the  cellar  way  landing. 

Now,  little  Miss  Yelvetpaw,  pattering  home 

In  a  shower  beneath  the  umbrella 
Of  Signor  Angora,  quite  lately  from  Rome, 

Said,  "Wasn't  it  nice  in  that  cellar? 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  103 

"And  wasn't  Miss  Tabby  the  dearest  old  thing? 

And  weren't  those  split  milkings  just  splendid? 
And  didn't  that  Manx  creature  know  how  to  sing? 

Though  she  looked — well,  least  said,  soonest  mended !" 

But  Fraulein  von  Manx,  treading  homeward  alone 
With  a  large  book  of  songs,  said  ('twas  spiteful, 

Of  course),  "She  was  ready  to  gnaw  a  dry  bone, 
And  the  damp  in  that  cellar  was  frightful !" 

And  the  eldest  Miss  Tabbycat  sank  on  the  stair 

Where  she'd  stood  and  reflected  with  sorrow 
On  the  mess  that  her  party  had  made  ev'rywhere 

And  the  bills  that  would  come  on  the  morrow. 


FIVE  KITTY  CATS. 


[For  the  baby  fingers— to  be  played  with  open  fingers  first — closing  each 
as  designated.] 


F 


IVE  little  kitty  cats  on  the  kitchen  floor, 
This  one  saw  a  rolling  ball, 
Then  there  were  four. 


Four  little  kitty  cats  sleepy  as  can  be, 
This  one  smelled  a  creepy  mouse, 
Then  there  were  three. 

Three  little  kitty  cats  wondering  what  they'll  do, 
This  one  heard  the  milk  boy's  bell, 
Then  there  were  two. 

Two  little  kitty  cats  sleeping  in  the  sun, 
Baby  wanted  one  to  love, 
Then  there  was  one. 


*D4  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

One  little  kitty  cat  left  all  alone, 
Along  came  a  barky  clog", 
Then  there  was  none. 


MY  KITTENS. 


Olive  Stevens  Brown. 


DO  you  want  to  see  my  kittens? 
I  found  them  in  the  shed : 
They  squirm  so  I  can't  hold  'em, 

I'll  haul  'em  on  my  sled. 
I  guess  I'd  better  name  'em, 

'Cause  some  might  get  away. 
.Who'd  ever  thought  of  kittens 
All  cuddled  in  that  hay? 

I'll  call  this  white  one  "Muffy," 

He  looks  just  like  a  muff; 
This  little  spotted,  fat  one, 

I  guess  I'll  call  him  "Puff;" 
This  black  one  with  the  boots  on, 

He  looks  so  smart  and  brisk, 
I'll  put  a  collar  on  him, 

And  put  around  it  "Frisk." 

These  gray  ones — guess  they'll  puzzle  me, 

They're  just  as  live  as  pins. 
I'll  tell  you  what  I  think,  sir, 

These  kittens  must  be  twins. 
I  guess  I  needn't  name  them, 

It   wouldn't  hardly   pay, 
'Cause  I  wouldn't  know  to-morrow 

Which  one  was  which  to-day. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  k>3 


TWO  PUSSY-CATS. 


Ella  Wheeler  Wilcox. 


I. 

THE   PET   CAT. 

DAINTY  little  ball  of  fur,  sleek  and  round  and  fat, 
Yawning  through  the  lazy  hours,  some  one's  household  eat, 
Lying  on  a  bed  of  down,  decked  in  ribbons  gay, 
What  a  pleasant  life  you  lead,  whether  night  or  day. 

Dining  like  an  epicure,  from  a  costly  dish, 
Served  with  what  you  like  the  best,  chicken,  meat  or  fish, 
Purring  at  an  outstretched  hand,  knowing  but  caresses, 
Half  the  comforts  of  your  life,  pussy,  no  one  guesses. 

Romping  through  the  house  at  will,  racing  down  the  hall, 
Full  of  pretty,  playful  pranks,  loved  and  praised  by  all, 
Wandering  from  room  to  room  to  find  the  choicest  spot, 
Favored  little  household  puss,  happy  is  your  lot. 

Sleeping  on  my  lady's  lap,  or  dozing  by  the  grate, 

Fed  with  catnip  tea  if  ill,  what  a  lucky  fate ! 

Loved  in  life  and  mourned  in  death,  and  stuffed  maybe  at  that, 

And  kept  up  on  the  mantel-shelf — dear  pet  cat. 

II. 

THE  TRAMP   CAT. 

Poor  little  beggar  cat,  hollow-eyed  and  gaunt, 
Creeping  down  the  alley-way  like  a  ghost  of  want, 
Kicked  and  beat  by  thoughtless  boys,  bent  on  cruel  play, 
tWhat  a  sorry  life  you  lead,  whether  night  or  day. 


106  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Hunting  after  crusts  and  crumbs,  gnawing  meatless  bones, 
Trembling  at  a  human  step,  fearing  bricks  and  stones, 
Shrinking  at  an  outstretched  hand,  knowing  only  blows, 
Wretched  little  beggar  cat,  born  to  suffer  woes. 

Stealing  to  an  open  door,  craving  food  and  heat, 
Frightened  off  with  angry  cries  and. broomed  into  the  street, 
Tortured,  teased  and  chased  by  dogs,  through  the  lonely  night, 
Homeless  little  beggar  cat,  sorrow  is  your  plight. 

Sleeping  anywhere  you  can,  in  the  rain  and  snow, 
1  Waking  in  the  cold,  gray  dawn,  wondering  where  to  go, 
Dying  in  the  street-  at  last,  starved  to  death  at  that, 
Picked  up  by  the  scavenger — poor  tramp  cat. 


MATILDA  MARTHA  MAY. 


Fannie  Rogers  White. 


M 


ATILDA  MARTHA  MAY 
Played  the  livelong  day. 


When  supper  time  came 
This  little  dame 
Was  too  sleepy  to  eat  her  whey. 

Her  head  would  go  up  and  down, 
Bobbing  around  and  round, 

While  kitty  puss  sat 

Just  waiting  for  that, 
Then  up  on  the  table  she'd  bound. 

She'd  eat  all  the  whey  in  sight ; 

Now  do  you  think  that  was  right? 
While  this  little  yum  yum 
With  an  empty  turn  turn 

Spent  a  very  restless  night, 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  107 

AN  OBJECT  OF  LOVE. 


Mary  E.  Wilkins. 


A  TINY  white-painted  house,  with  a  door  and  one  window  in 
front,  and  a  little  piazza,  over  which  the  roof  jutted,  and 
on  which  the  kitchen  door  opened,,  on  the  rear  corner.  Squashes 
were  piled  up  on  this  piazza  in  a  great  yellow  and  green  heap. 

Ann  Millet,  her  shawl  pinned  closely  over  her  hair  and  ears,  the 
small  oval  of  her  solemn,  delicate  old  face  showing  almost  un- 
canny beneath  it,  stood  in  the  door,  surveying  the  sky  outside. 

"There's  goin'  to  be  a  heavy  frost,  sure  enough,"  she  said.  "I'll 
hev  to  git  the  squashes  in.  Thar's  Mis'  Stone  comin'.  Hope  to 
goodness  she  won't  stop  an'  hinder  me !  Lor'  sakes !  I'd  orter 
hev  more  patience." 

A  tall,  stooping  figure  came  up  the  street,  and  paused  at  the 
gate  hesitatingly. 

"Good-cvenin',  Ann." 

"Good-evenin',  Mis'  Stone." 

"Gettin'  in  your  squashes,  ain't  you?"  Mrs.  Stone  spoke  in  a 
very  high  pitched  tone.    Ann  was  somewhat  deaf. 

"Yes.    I  didn't  dare  resk  'em  out  to-night,  it's  so  cold." 

"Well,  it's  a  good  deal  colder  than  I  hed  any  idea  of  when  I 
come  out.  Yes,  I'd  take  'em  in.  We  got  ourn  in  last  week.  We 
ain't  got  more'n  half  as  many  as  you  hev.  I  shouldn't  think  you 
could  use  'em  all,  Ann." 

"Well,  I  do.  I  allers  liked  squashes,  an'  Willy  likes  'em,  too. 
You'd  orter  see  him  brush  round  me,  a-roundin'  up  his  back  an' 
purrin'  when  I'm  a  scrapin'  of  'em  out  of  the  shell.  He  likes  'em 
better'n  fresh  meat." 

"Seems  queer  for  a  cat  to  like  sech  things.  Ourn  won't  touch 
'em.  How  nice  an'  big  your  cat  looks  a-settin'  thar  in  the  win- 
dow !" 

"He's  a-watchin'  of  me.  He  jumped  up  thar  jest  the  minute  I 
come  out !" 


108  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

"He's  a  good  deal  of  company  for  you,  ain't  he?" 
"Yes,  he  is.    What  on  airth  I  should  do  this  long-,  winter  that's 
comin',  without  him,  I  don't  know.    Everybody  wants  somethin' 
that's  alive  in  the  house." 

"That's  so.  It  must  be  pretty  lonesome  for  you  anyway." 
"Well,  I  don't  mean  to  complain.  I'd  orter  be  thankful.  I've 
got  my  Bible  an'  Willy,  an'  a  roof  over  my  head,  an'  enough  to 
eat  an'  wear ;  an'  p'rhaps  some  other  woman  ain't  lonesome  be- 
cause I  am,  an'  maybe  she'd  be  one  of  the  kind  that  didn't  like 
cats,  an'  wouldn't  hev  got  along  half  as  well  as  me.  No,  I  never 
orter  complain." 

"Well,  if  all  of  us  looked  at  our  mercies  more'n  our  trials,  we'd 
be  a  good  deal  happier.  But,  sakes !  I  must  be  goin'.  Good-night, 
Ann." 

"Good-night,  Mis'  Stone." 

Mrs.  Stone  hitched  rapidly  down  the  street  to  her  own  home, 
and  Ann  went  on  tugging  in  her  squashes.  She  was  a  little 
woman  and  had  to  carry  them  in  one  at  a  time.  After  they  were 
all  in  she  took  off  her  shawl  and  hung  it  on  a  nail  behind  the 
kitchen  door.  Then  she  gave  her  cat  his  saucer  of  warm  milk  in 
a  snug  corner  by  the  stove  and  sat  clown  contentedly  to  her  own 
supper.  The  cat  was  a  beautiful  little  animal,  with  a  handsome 
dark  striped  coat  on  his  back,  and  white  paws  and  face. 

When  he  had  finished  lapping  his  milk,  he  came  and  stood  be- 
side his  mistress's  chair  while  she  ate,  and  purred,  and  she  gave 
him  bits  of  bread  from  her  plate  now  and  then.  She  talked  to  him. 
"Nice  Willy !  nice  cat.  Got  up  on  the  window  to  see  me  bring 
in  the  squashes,  didn't  he?  There's  a  beautiful  lot  of  'em,  an'  he 
shall  hev  some  stewed  for  his  dinner  to-morrow,  so  he  shall." 

And  the  cat  would  purr,  and  rub  his  soft  coat  against  her,  and 
look  as  if  he  knew  just  what  she  meant. 

There  was  a  prayer-meeting  that  evening,  and  Ann  Millet  went. 
She  never  missed  one.  The  minister,  when  he  entered,  always 
found  her  sitting  in  the  same  place.  She  had  a  pretty  voice  when 
she  was  young,  people  said,  and  she  sang  now  in  a  sweet  thin 
quaver  the  hymns  which  the  minister  gave  out.    She  listened  in 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  109 

solemn  enjoyment  to  the  stereotyped  prayers  and  the  speaker's 
remarks. 

After  meeting  Ann  always  went  up  and  told  him  how  much  she 
had  enjoyed  his  remarks,  and  inquired  after  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren. To  her  a  minister  was  an  unpublished  apostle,  and  his  wife 
and  family  were  set  apart  on  the  earth. 

When  she  had  reached  home  and  lighted  her  lamp,  she  called 
her  cat.  She  had  expected  to  find  him  waiting  to  be  let  in,  but  he 
was  not.  She  stood  out  on  her  little  piazza,  and  called,  "Willy ! 
Willy !  Willy !" 

She  thought  every  minute  she  would  see  him  bounding  around 
the  corner,  but  she  did  not.  She  called  over  and  over,  "Willy! 
Willy!  Kitty!  Kitty!  Kitty!" 

Finally  she  went  into  the  house  and  waited  awhile,  crouching, 
shivering  with  cold  and  nervousness,  over  the  kitchen  stove.  Then 
she  went  outside  and  called  again,  "Willy!"  over  and  over,  wait- 
ing between  the  calls  trembling-,  her  dull  old  ears  alert,  her  dim 
old  eyes  strained.  She  ran  out  to  the  road,  and  looked  and  called. 
Once  her  heart  leaped ;  she  thought  she  saw  Willy  coming ;  but  it 
was  only  a  black  cat  which  belonged  to  one  of  the  neighbors. 
Over  and  over  all  night  long  she  called  the  poor  little  creature 
which  was  everything  earthly  she  had  to  keep  her  company  in  the 
great  universe  in  which  she  herself  was  so  small. 

In  the  morning"  she  went  over  to  Mrs.  Stone's,  her  small  old 
face  wild  and  wan. 

"Hev  you  seen  anything  of  Willy?"  she  asked.  "He's  been 
out  all  night,  an'  I'm  afraid  somethin's  happened  to  him.  I  never 
knowed  him  to  stay  out  so  before." 

When  they  told  her  they  had  not  seen  him,  she  went  on  to  the 
next  neighbors  to  inquire.  But  no  one  had  seen  anything  of  the 
cat.  All  that  day  and  night,  at  intervals,  people  heard  her  plain- 
tive, inquiring  call,  "Willy!  Willy!  Willy!" 

The  next  Sunday,  Ann  was  not  out  at  church.  Mrs.  Stone  went 
over  to  see  what  was  the  matter. 

"Why,  Ann  Millet,  are  you  sick?"  she  asked. 
I     "No,  I  ain't  sick." 


no  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

"You  wa'n't  out  to  meetin',  an'  I  didn't  know " 

"I  ain't  never  goin'  to  meetin'  agin." 

"Why,  what  do  you  mean?" 

"I  mean  jest  what  I  say.  I  ain't  never  goin'  to  meetin'  agin 
Folks  go  to  meetin'  to  thank  the  Lord  for  blessin's,  I  s'pose.  I've 
lost  mine,  an'  I  ain't  goin'." 

"What  hev  you  lost,  Ann?" 

"Ain't  Host  Willy?" 

"You  don't  mean  to  say  you're  makin'  such  a  fuss  as  this  over 
a  cat?" 

"Yes,  I  do." 

"Well,  I  aint  nothin'  agin  cats,  but  I  must  say  I'm  beat.  Why, 
Ann  Millet,  it's  downright  sinful  for  you  to  feel  so.  Of  course, 
you  set  a  good  deal  by  Willy ;  but  it  ain't  as  ef  he  was  a  human 
creature.  Cats  is  cats.  For  my  part,  I  never  thought  it  was  right 
to  set  by  animals  as  ef  they  was  babies." 

"I  can't  hear  what  you  say." 

"I  never  thought  it  was  right  to  set  by  animals  as  ef  they  was 
babies." 

"I  don't  keer.  It's  comfortin'  to  have  live  creatures  about 
you,  an'  Iain't  never  bed  anything  like  other  women.  I  ain't 
hed  no  folks  of  my  own  sense  I  kin  remember.  Fve  worked 
hard  all  my  life,  an'  hed  nothin'  at  all  to  love,  an'  Fve  thought 
I'd  orter  be  thankful  all  the  same.  But  I  did  want  as  much  as 
a  cat." 

"Well,  as  I  said  before,  Fve  nothin'  agin  cats.  But  I  don't  un- 
derstand any  human  bein'  with  an  immortal  soul  a-settin'  so  much 
by  one." 

"I  can't  hear  what  you  say." 

"I  don't  understand  any  human  bein'  with  an  immortal  soul 
a-settin'  so  much  by  a  cat." 

"You've  got  folks,  Mis'  Stone." 

"I  know  I  hev;  but  folks  is  trials  sometimes.  But,  Ann  Millet, 
I  didn't  think  you  was  one  to  sink  down  so  under  any  trial.  I 
thought  the  Lord  would  be  a  comfort  to  you." 

"I  know  all  that,  Mis'  Stone.    But  when  it  comes  to  if,  I'm  here 


CATS  AND   KITTENS:  nt 

an'  I  ain't  thar;  an'  I've  got  hands,  an'  I  want  somethin'  I  kin 

touch." 

i     Then  the  poor  soul  broke  down,  and  sobbed  out  loud  like  a 

baby. 

"I  ain't — never  felt  as  ef  I  orter  begrutch  other — women  their 
homes  an'  their  folks.  I  thought — p'raps — I  could  git  along  better 
without  'em  than — some ;  an'  the  Lord  knowed  it,  an'  seein'  thar 
crii  wa'n't  enough  to  go  round,  he  gave  'em  to  them  that  needed  'em 
most.  I  ain't — never — felt — as  ef  I'd  orter  complain.  But — 
thar — was — cats — enough.    I  might  a  hed — that — much." 

"You  kin  git  another  cat,  Ann.     Mis'  Maxwell's  got  some  real 
,  smart  kittens." 

"I  don't  want  any  of  Mis'  Maxwell's  kittens  ;  I  don't  never  want 
any  other  cat." 

"P'rhaps  yourn  will  come  back." 

"No,  he  won't.  I'll  never  see  him  agin.  I've  felt  jest  that  way 
about  it  from  the  first." 

"Hark !  I  declar'  I  thought  I  heard  a  cat  mew  somewhar !  But 
I  guess  I  didn't.  Well,  I'm  sorry,  Ann.  Why,  Ann  Millet,  whar's 
your  squashes?" 

"I  thro  wed  'em  away  out  in  the  field.  Willy  can't  hev  none  of 
'em  now',  an'  I  don't  keer  about  'em  myself." 

Mrs.  Stone  looked  at  her  in  horror.  When  she  got  home  she 
told  her  daughter  that  Ann  Millet  was  in  a  dreadful  state  of  mind, 
and  she  thought  the  minister  ought  to  see  her. 

The  next  day  the  minister  called  on  her.  He  did  not  find  her 
so  outspoken;  her  awe  of  him  restrained  her.  Still,  Ann  Millet 
was  for  the  time  a  wicked,  rebellious  old  woman. 

In  the  course  of  the  call  a  rap  came  at  the  kitchen  door. 

"Nothin'  but  a  little  gal  with  a  Malty  cat,"  said  she.  "The 
children  hev  got  wind  of  my  losin'  Willy,  an'  they  mean  it  all 
right,  but  it  seem  as  ef  I  should  fly !  They  keep  comin'  and  bring- 
in'  cats.  They'll  find  a  cat  that  they  think  mebbe  is  Willy,  an'  so 
they  bring  him  to  show  me.  They've  brought  Malty  and  white 
cats,  an'  cats  all  Malty.  They've  brought  yaller  cats,  an'  black, 
an'  there  wa'n't  one  of  'em  looked  like  Willy.       Then  they've 


H2  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

brought  kittens  that  they  knowed  wa'n't  Willy,  but  they  thoughl 
mebbe  I'd  like  'em  instead  of  him.  They  mean  all  right,  I  know 
they're  real  tender-hearted ;  but  it  'most  kills  me.  Why,  the} 
brought  me  two  little  kittens  that  hain't  got  their  eyes  open  jest 
before  you  came.  They  was  striped  and  white,  an'  they  said  the\ 
thought  they'd  grow  up  to  look  like  Willy." 

He  went  away  without  saying  much  of  anything;  he  was  so 
afraid  that  what  he  said  might  be  out  of  proportion  to  the  de 
mands  of  the  case. 

Going  out  the   door,   he   stopped   and  listened   a   minute ;   he 
thought  he  heard  a  cat  mew.     Then  he  concluded  he  was  mis 
taken,  and  went  on.    He  watched  eagerly  for  Ann  the  next  meet- 
ing night,  but  she  did  not  come. 

The  day  after  the  meeting,  she  had  occasion  to  go  down  cel- 
lar for  something.  The  cellar  stairs  led  up  to  the  front  part  of  the 
house.  Ann  went  through  her  chilly  sitting-room,  and  opened  the 
cellar  door,  which  was  in  the  front  entry.  There  was  a  quick  rush 
from  the  gloom  below,  and  Willy  flew  up  the  cellar  stairs. 

"Lor'  sakes !"  said  Ann,  with  a  white  shocked  face.  "He  has 
'been  down  there  all  the  while.  Now  I  remember.  He  followed 
me  when  I  came  through  here  to  git  my  cloak  that  meetin'  night, 
an'  he  wanted  to  go  down  cellar,  an'  I  let  him.    Lor'  sakes !" 

She  went  back  into  the  kitchen,  her  knees  trembling.  She 
poured  out  a  saucer  of  milk,  and  watched  Willy  hungrily  lapping. 
He  did  not  look  as  if  he  had  suffered,  though  he  had  been  in  the 
cellar  a  week. 

Ann  watched  him,  the  white,  awed  look  still  on  her  face. 

"I  s'pose  he  mewed  an'  I  didn't  hear  him.  Thar  he  was  all  the 
time,  jest  whar  I  put  him ;  an'  me  a-blamin'  of  the  Lord  an'  puttin' 
of  it  on  him.  I'v  been  an  awful  wicked  woman.  I  ain't  been  to 
meetin',  an'  I've  talked,  an' — them  squashes  I  threw  away.  It's 
been  so  warm  they  'aint  froze,  an'  I  don't  deserve  it.  I  hadn't 
orter  hev  one  of  'em ;  I  hadn't  orter  hev  anything.  I'd  orter  offer 
up  Willy.  Lor'  sakes,  think  of  me  a-sayin'  what  I  did,  an'  him 
down  cellar !" 

That  afternoon  Mrs.  Stone  saw  Ann  slowly  and  painfully  bring- 


Copyright,    1906,   by   the  P.otograph   Co.,  N.   T. 


From   Paintlns   by   L.    Porrault. 


A  HAPry  Mother. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  113 

ing  in  squashes  one  at  a  time.  The  next  meeting  night  Ann  was 
in  her  place.  After  meeting,  the  minister  hurried  out  of  his  desk 
to  speak  to  her.  When  she  looked  up  at  him,  her  old  cheeks  were 
flushing. 

"The  cat  has  come  back,"  said  Ann. 


THE  KITTENS'  FRIGHT. 


Action  Poem. 


LITTLE  Kitty  Cotton-tail 
aRubbed  her  sleepy  eyes ; 
2Went  out  for  a  morning  walk — 
3 Stared  in  wild  surprise ! 

"Meaow!"  cried  Kitty  Cotton-tail, 

To  her  sister  calling ; 
*"Poppy,  Poppy,  let  us  hide! 
5See,  the  sky  is  falling!" 

eCotton-tail  and  Poppy  ran 
Down  the  yard  together ; 
Baby  Jimbo  met,  and  stopped 
To  talk  about  the  weather. 

"Meaoiv!"  said  Kitty  Cotton-tail; 

"Meaow!"  said  Baby  Jimbo; 
7So  they  all  ran  on  again, 
With  their  arms  akimbo. 

8Mother  Tortoise-shell  they  met: 
"What  means  this?"  she  cried. 
9"Skies  are  falling,"  answered  they; 
""Come  with  "us  and  hide!" 


ri4 


CATS  AND   KITTENS. 


"Mother  Tortoise-shell  was  wise, 
And  her  speech  was  slow ; 
12"Foolish  little  cats !"  she  said — 
"That  is  only  snow !" 


\ 


DIREC 
Tass   hands     over    eyes   as   if  just 
awakening. 

:Extend  hands  at  right  angles  to 
chest,  and  move  them  to  and 
fro. 

3Hand  by  side,  head  erect,  and  look 
straight  in  front,  as  if  aston- 
ished at  something. 

'Beckon  with  finger,  and  nod  head, 
as  if  calling  in  haste. 

"Raise  hands  and  arms  vertically, 
and  then,   with  hands   at  right 


TIONS. 

angles    to     arms,    lower     them 

quickly. 
'Move  hands  quickly  to  right. 
'Point   as    if   directing   attention    to 

the    three     kittens     running    to 

right. 
8Raise  forefinger  of  right  hand,  and 

gesticulate  as  if  to  emphasize. 
"Imitate  action  5. 
"Imitate  action  4. 
"Imitate  action  8. 
a2Shake   head,   and 

liberately. 


speak   very   de- 


THE  WARNING 


Good  morn  -    ing,       JVIis    -   ter  Mouse; 

•#  -*- 

F  I  ■  ! 


We've  noth-       ing        for 


SE 


*=tt= 


lip 


E± 


:S«i 


=Bt 


&^ 


You'd 


bet    -    ter 


CATS;  'AND.   KITTENS.  a  15 


MY  CAT. 


Charles  Baudelaire. 


M 


Y  pretty  cat  to  my  heart  I  hold, 
My  heart  ever  warm  to  her; 


Let  me  look  in  thine  eyes  of  agate  and  gold ; 
Thy  claws  keep  sheathed  in  fur. 

My  finger  strokes  thy  head,  and  thrills 

Thy  back  that  arches  higher ; 
My  touch  with  quivering  rapture  fills 

Thy  veins.'  electric  fire. 


I  dream  of  my  love ;  her  eyes  like  thine, 
Profound  and  cold,  sweet  cat  of  mine, 
My  soul  like  dart-wounds  fret. 

A  subtle  air,  a  deadly  sweet 
Breathes  round  her,  and  from  head  to  feet 
Envelopes  my  brunette. 


CAT-EGOEICAL  COURTSHIP. 


I    SAT  one  night  beside  a  blue-eyed  girl — 
The  fire  was  out,  and  so,  too,  was  her  mother; 
A  feeble  flame  around  the  lamp  did  curl 
Making  faint  shadows,  blending  in  each  other. 
'Twas  nearly  twelve  o'clock,  too,  in  November. 
She  had  a  shawl  on  also,  I  remember. 
Well,  I  had  been  to  see  her  every  night 
For  thirteen  days,  and  had  a  sneaking  notion 


116  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

To  pop  the  question,  thinking  ail  was  right, 

And  once  or  twice  had  made  an  awkward  motion 

To  take  her  hand,  and  stammered,  coughed,  and  stuttered, 

But  somehow  nothing  to  the  point  had  uttered. 

I  thought  this  chance  too  good  now  to  be  lost; 

I  hitched  my  chair  up  pretty  close  beside  her, 

Drew  a  long  breath,  and  then  my  legs  I  crossed, 

Bent  over,  sighed,  and  for  five  minutes  eyed  her. 

She  looked  as  if  she  knew  what  next  was  coming, 

And  with  her  foot  upon  the  floor  was  drumming. 

I  didn't  know  how  to  begin  or  where — 

I  couldn't  speak ;  the  words  were  always  choking, 

I  scarce  could  move — I  seemed  tied  in  my  chair — 

I  hardly  breathed — "twas  awful  provoking; 

The  perspiration  from  each  pore  was  oozing, 

My  heart  and  brain  and  limbs  their  power  seemed  losing. 

At  length  I  saw  a  brindled  tabby-cat 

Walk  purring  up,  inviting  me  to  pat  her ; 

An  idea  came,  electric-like  at  that — 

My  doubts,  like  summer  clouds,  began  to  scatter; 

I  seized  on  tabby,  though  a  scratch  she  gave  me, 

And  said,  "Come.  Puss,  ask  Mary  if  she'll  have  me?" 

'Twas  done  at  once — the  murder  now  was  out ; 

The  thing  was  all  explained  in  half  a  minute ; 

She  blushed,  and,  turning  pussy  round  about. 

Said,  "Pussy,  tell  him,  yes!"     Her  foot  was  in  it! 

The  cat  had  thus  saved  me  my  category. 

And  here's  the  catastrophe  of  my  story. 


TOMMIE. 


THE  elephant  has  greatness, 
The  little  pug  has  fame, 
The  cat  they  call  just  Tommie, 
But  he  gets  there  just  the  same. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  117 


HODGE,  THE  CAT. 


Susan  Coolidge. 


BURLY  and  big  his  books  among 
Good  Samuel  Johnson  sat, 
With  frowning  brows  and  wig  askew, 
His  snuff-strewn  waistcoat  far  from  new; 
So  stern  and  menacing  his  air 

That  neither  "Black  Sam"  nor  the  maid 
To  knock  or   interrput   him   dare — 
Yet  close  beside  him,  unafraid, 
Sat  Hodge,  the  cat. 

"This  participle,"  the  Doctor  wrote, 

"The  modern  scholar  cavils  at, 
But" — even  as  he  penned  the  word 
A  soft  protesting  note  was  heard. 
The  Doctor  fumbled  with  his  pen, 

The  dawning  thought  took  wings  and  flew, 
The  sound  repeated  came  again — 

It  was  a   faint  reminding  "Mew !" 
From  Hodge,  the  cat. 

"Poor  pussy !"  said  the  learned  man, 

Giving  the  glossy  fur  a  pat, 
"It  is  your  dinner  time,  I  know, 
And,  well,  perhaps  I  ought  to  go ; 
For  if  Sam  every  day  were  sent 

Off  from  his  work  your  fish  to  buy, 
Why — men  are  men — he  might  resent, 
And  starve  or  kick  you  on  the  sly — 
Eh!  Hodge,  my  cat?" 


Ii8  CATS  AND   KITTEN^. 

The  dictionary  was  laid  down — 

The  Doctor  tied  his  vast  cravat, 
And  down  the  buzzing  street  he  strode, 
Taking-  an  often-trodden  road, 
And  halted  at  a  well-known  stall ; 

"Fishmonger,''  spoke  the  Doctor,  gruff, 
"Give  me  six  oysters — that  is  all ; 

Hodge  knows  when  he  has  had  enough — 
Hodge  is  my  cat." 

Then  home ;  Puss  dined,  and  while  in  sleep 

He  chased  a  visionary  rat, 
His  master  sat  him  down  again, 
Rewrote  his  page,  renibbed  his  pen; 
Each  I  was  dotted,  each  T  was  crossed ; 

He  labored  on  for  all  to  read, 
Nor  deemed  that  time  was  waste  or  lost 
Spent  in  supplying  the  small  need 
Of  Hodge,  the  cat. 

That  dear  old  Doctor !     Fierce  of  mien, 

Untidy,  arbitrary,  fat, 
What  gentle  thoughts  his  name  enfold ! 
So  generous  of  his  scanty  gold, 
So  quick  to  love,  so  hot  to  scorn,  ■ 

Kind  to  all  sufferers  under  heaven — 
A  tenderer  despot  ne'er  was  born ; 
His  big  heart  held  a  corner  even 
For  Hodge,  the  cat. 


PUSSY  AND  THE  MICE. 


SOME  little  mice  sat  in  a  barn  to  spin; 
Pussy  came  by  and  popped  his  head  within  ; 
"Shall  I  come  in,  and  bite  your  threads  right  off?" 
"Oh,  no!  kind  sir,  you'll  snap,  instead,  our  heads  all  off!" 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  119 

BAD  PETER,  BAD  JOE. 


I    SUPPOSE  you've  heard  tell  of  those  frolicsome  kittens 
Who  covered  their  paws  with  some  bright  woolen  mittens, 
And  behaved  so  politely  in  every  way. 
Well,  we'll  never  mind  them,  for  they  died  long  ago. 
And  I  now  want  to  tell  you  of  Peter  and  Joe, 
Two  troublesome  kittens  who  live  at  Heme  Bay ! 

They  are  always  in  mischief,  and  leave  nothing  alone! 
Run  away  with  my  knitting  or  dear  doggie's  bone ! 
Roll  over  and  over  the  clean  kitchen  table, 
Climb  up  to  the  very  tip  top  of  the  stairs, 
Then  race  to  the  bottom  as  mad  as  wild  hares, 
Rush  out  to  the  garden  and  hide  in  the  stable. 

You  never  can  catch  them  unless  they  are  sleeping, 

And  e'en  when  they  scratch  you  they  don't  mind  your  weeping; 

But  stare  at  you  boldly  and  stiffen  their  tails, 

These  very  sad  kittens,  bad  Peter !  bad  Joe ! 

And  the  worst  of  it  is,  one  never  can  know 

Any  way  to  improve  them,  for  every  plan  fails ! 

There  are  two  little  boys  just  like  Peter  and  Joe, 

For  they're  always  in  mischief  wherever  they  go. 

Till  the  people  say,  "O  what  a  bother  they  are !" 

No!  I  won't  print  their  names,  for  perhaps  they'll  be  good; 

Perhaps  behave,  for  the  future,  as  gentlemen  should ; 

So  instead  of  their  names,  why,  I'll  put  a  big  X.   . 

Yes  !  and  if  very  soon  they're  behaving  no  better, 
Why,  their  names  must  be  printed — every  letter. 


What  is  it  that  looks  like  a  cat,  walks  like  a  cat,  but  isn't  a  cat? 
A  kitten. 


120  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 


THE  KIND  BOY. 


Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender. 


Written  especially  for  this  book. 


The  boy  who  strives 
To  honest  be, 

And  shows  a  dog 
Or  cat  that  he 

Will  be  their  friend, 
In  want  or  woe, 

Why  that's  the  boy 
I  honor  so. 


He  never  tries 
By  act  to  do 

What  oft  will  make 

Some  kitten  mew ; 
But  he  defends 

Her  with  his  might 
And  takes  a  stand 

That's  brave  and  right. 


To  see  a  creature 
Suffer  much 

From  some  rude  hand 
His  heart  will  touch ; 
And  he  will  shun 
A  wicked  mate 

Who  tortures  pets 

For  pleasures'  sake. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  121 

In  all  this  land, 

How  grand  'twould  be 
A  mighty  band 

Of  boys  to  see 

Who  make  a  point 
At  home  or  play 
To  treat  all  pets 

In  kindly  way. 

A  bird  or  dog 

A  horse  or  cat. 

Will  grateful  be 
For  kindly  pat 

In  friendly  way; 

And  thus  you'll  do 

Some  good  each  day, 
I  know  'tis  true. 

[Then,  too,  a  boy 

With  heart  so  warm 
Will  nobler  grow 

As  years  roll  on ; 

And  his  strong  arm 
Will  oft  be  sought 

To  check  some  wrong 

That  mischief  wrought. 


LITTLE  PUSSY. 


Taylor. 

1LIKE  little  pussy,  her  coat  is  so  warm, 
And  if  I  don't  hurt  her  she'll  do  me  no  harm; 
So  I'll  not  pull  her  tail,  nor  drive  her  away, 
JBut  pussy  and  I  very  gently  will  play. 


122  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 


THE  KITTEN  AND  THE  FALLING  LEAVES. 


William  Wordsworth. 


SEE  the  kitten  on  the  wall,1 
Sporting  with  the  leaves  that  fall2 
Withered  leaves — one,  two  and  three — 3 
From  the  lofty  elder-tree  !4 

Through  the  calm  and  frosty  air 
Of  this  morning  bright  and  fair,5 
Eddying  round  and  round,  they  sink5 
Softly,  softly.     One  might  think, 
From  the  motions  that  are  made,0 
Every  little  leaf  conveyed 
Sylph  or  fairy  hither  tending,7 
To  this  lower  world  descending,8 
Each  invisible  and  mute,9 
In  his  wavering  parachute.10 

But  the  kitten,  how  she  starts,1 
Crouches,  stretches,  paws,  and  darts  I11 
First  at  one  and  then  its  fellow,12 
just  as  light  and  just  as  yellow : 
There  are  many  now — now  one  ;13 
Now  they  stop,  and  there  are  none.14 

What  intenseness  of  desire 
In  her  upward  eye  of  fire  !15 
With  a  tiger-leap  half-way 
Now  she  meets  the  coming  prey,16 
Lets  it  go  as  fast,17  and  then 
Has  it  in  her  power  again  ;16 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  123 

'Now  she  works  with  three  or  four,18 

Like  an  Indian  conjurer ; 

Quick  as  he  in  feats  of  art,19 

Far  beyond  in  joy  of  heart.20 

Were  her  antics  played  in  the  eye 

Of  a  thousand  standers-by,21 

Clapping  hands  with  shout  and  stare,22 

What  would  little  Tabby  care1 

For  the  plaudits  of  the  crowd,22 

Over-happy  to  be  proud, 

Over-wealthy  in  the  treasure23 

Of  her  own  exceeding  pleasure  \20 

DIRECTIONS. 

BY  BERTHA   L.   COLBURN". 

[From  ''Graded  Physical  Exercises,"  by  permission  of  tlie  Publishers.] 

[Imagine  that  you  really  see  the  kitten  playing  with  the  falling  leaves ; 
then,  as  you  point  to  her  and  illustrate  ller  movements,  your  gestures  will 
be  natural  and  expressive  instead  of  awkward  and  mechanical.] 

^oint  to  right.  hands  downward,  and  give  leap- 

2Same,   with   circular   movement   of  ing  movement  with  arms. 

hand.  "Point  left,  then  right. 

3Point  to  three  leaves  in  same  direc-  "Point   outward   with   both   hands  ; 

tion  but  slightly  different  places.  ,.      lower  right. 

4-r,  ■   .  i  ■  u  Lower  left. 

Point  higher.  i5T      ,  1 

5Raise  arms  front  to  shoulder  level       l,£?ok1UP  ^agerly-  .      ...■  QrtTlc 

1  ,         ,  ,     ,    ir    •  ,  Give  leaping  movement  with  arms, 

and  carry  outward  to  half  sides,  d  $£  h     d 

turning  palms  upward.  17Qpen  handg_ 

Turn  palms  down,  and  move  arms  lsA/[ovement  of  leaping  and  catching 

in  circles,  lowering  slowly.  leaves. 

7Arms    extended   at   front    shoulder  l9Carry  left  arm  out  to  half  side  mid 

level,  palms  up.  line,  palm  up. 

sTurn  palms,  and  lower  to  low  front.  20Clasp  hands  joyously. 

"Peer  forward.  21Carry  both  arms  out  to  mid  line  at 
"Extend    arms     at    front    shoulder  half  sides,  palms  up. 

level,   palms     down,   and    wave  "Clap  hands. 

hands  slightly  to  sides.  23Lift  forearms  to  mid  line  at  half 
"Bend  forward ;  extend  arms  ;  move  sides,  palms  up. 


What  does  a  cat  have  that  no  other  animal  has  ?    Kittens. 


124  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


DE  BLACK  CAT  CKOSSED  HIS  LUCK. 


J.   D.   CORROTHERS. 


[From  "  The  Black  Cat  Club,"  by  special  permission.] 

ODE  Black  Cat  cotch  ole  Sambo  Lee, 
As  he  come  home  f'om  a  jamboree! 
De  cat  sot  up  in  a  juniper  tree, 
Shakin'  ob  his  sides  wid  glee. 
De  moon  was  sailin'  oberhead — 
Sam's  h'aht  felt  lak  a  lump  o'  lead. 
Black  Cat  grinned  an'  wonk  one  eye, 
Licked  his  paws  an'  gib  a  sigh, 
An'  den  he  cried :   "Me-ow,  me-ow — 
Upon  ma  soul  ah'm  got  you  now ! 
Fall  down  an'  pray,  po'  cullud  man, 
Foh  de  ole  Black  Cat  done  call  yo'  han\" 

Sam  los'  his  job  de  very  nex'  day; 

An'  when  he  went  to  git  his  pay, 

Got  bit  by  a  po'  man's  dog — 

Policeman  beat  him  wid  his  log — 

Got  arrested,  put  in  jail — 

Had  to  hustle  hahd  foh  bail — 

Lost  his  lawsuit,  sprained  his  jaw 

Wranglin'  wid  his  mother-in-law — 

Lost  his  best  ob  lady  lubs — 

Got  knocked  out  wid  de  boxin'-glubs — 

Got  hel'  up  an'  lost  his  roll — 

Robber  almose  took  his  soul ! 

Sam  went  to  de  hospital — 

Three  weeks  passed  'fo'  he  got  well. 

Played  de  races — got  broke  flat; 

An'  all  because  ob  dat  Black  Cat ! 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  125 

Den  to  de  cunjah-man  Sam  sped, 

An'  dis  am  whut  de  cunjah-man  said: 

"Black  Cat  am  a  pow'ful  man; 

Ruinin'  mo'tals  am  his  plan. 

Ole  Satan  an'  de  'Riginal  Sin 

Am  de  daddy  an'  mammy  o'  him. 

He's  got  nine  hundred  an'  ninety-nine  libes — 

Nineteen  thousan'  an'  ninety-nine  wibes — 

He's  kin  to  cholera  an'  allied 

To  smallpox  on  de  mammy's  side; 

An'  all  de  ebils  on  de  earf 

Stahted  at  de  Black  Cat's  birf ! — 

Jes'  stop  an'  die  right  whah  you's  at, 

Ef  yo'  luck  bin  crossed  by  de  ole  Black  Cat !" 

An'  den  Sam  read  in  history 

Dat  a  cat  crossed  Pharaoh  by  de  see, 

An'  burried  him,  as  sho's  you  bo'n, 

Too  deep  to  heah  ole  Gabriel's  ho'n! 

An'  dat  de  cat  crossed  Jonah  once. 

An'  made  him  ack  a  regular  dunce. 

Crossed  Bonaparte  at  Waterloo, 

An'  got  Jeems  Blaine  defeated,  too. 

"Oh,  Laud  a-mussy  now  on  me !" 

Cried  Sam,  ''an'  on  his  history !" 

An'  den  Sam  went  an'  killed  de  cat — 

Swo'e  he'd  make  an  end  o'  dat : — 

Burried  him  in  de  light  o'  de  moon, 

Wid  a  rabbit's-foot  an'  a  silver  spoon. 

But  de  Black  Cat  riz,  an'  swallered  him  whole — 

Bu'nt  his  house  an'  took  his  soul ! 


*(1  KNOW  where  there  is  a  catbird's  nest,"  said  Jack,  as  he 
1       came  in  to  dinner,  "and  it's  full  of  young  ones." 
"Let  me  see,"  shouted  wee  Bessie.     "I  want  to  see  the  kitty 

birds." 


126  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

BARON  GRIMALKIN'S  DEATH. 


A  Parody. 


Will  M.  Carlton. 


O'ER  a  low  barn,  the  setting-  sun 
Had  thrown  its  latest  ray, 
Where,  in  his  last  strong"  agony, 

A  dying  tom-cat  lay. 
One  who  had  caught  full  many  a  mouse, 

By  pantry,  barn,  and  shelf. 

But  now,  by  unrelenting  Death, 

At  last  was  caught  himself. 

"They  come  around  me  here,  and  say 

My  days  of  life  are  o'er ! 
That  I  shall  snoop  in  pans  of  milk. 

And  scratch  and  fight  no  more. 
They  come,  and  to  my  whiskers  dare 

Tell  me  now,  that  I, 
The  oldest  tom-cat  on  the  place ! 

That  I  ?  y-o-w  !  y-o-w !  must  die. 

"And  what  is  death?     I've  braved  him  oft, 

Before  the  poker's  thrust ; 
I've  fought  full  many  a  cat  and  dog, 

For  many  a  bone  and  crust ; 
I've  met  him,  faced  him,  scorned  him, 

When  the  fight  was  raging  hot! 
If  he  comes  here  I'll  scratch  his  eyes, 

Defy  and  fear  him  not. 

"Ho !  sound  the  signal  from  the  barn, 

And  raise  a  mighty  din ! 
Go  round  to  every  house  and  farm, 

And  call  each  tom-cat  in ; 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  127 

Away,  and  do  my  bidding,  now, 

My  every  order  mind ! 
Bring  hither  every  rat  and  mouse 

That  you  can  catch  or  find !" 

A  hundred  cats  were  busy  then ; 

A  feast  of  rats  was  spread ; 
And  everything  was  done  in  haste 

As  the  old  cat  had  said ; 
While,  through  a  crack,  the  rising  moon 

Lit  up  the  novel  scene, 
And  shone  on  poor  old  Thomas  cat 

Of  sad  but  gritty  mien. 

Soon  hurrying  through  the  great  barn  door 

The  neighboring  pussies  came ; 
Some  black,  some  white,  some  grizzly  gray 

Some  wild,  and  others  tame. 
They  gathered  quickly  round  the  feast,, 

Each  sitting  firm  and  straight ; 
While,  at  their  head,  the  dying  cat, 

With  tail  curled  round  him,  sat. 

"Let  every  one  be  filled,  my  cats  ; 

Eat  all  you  can,  to-night ! 
And  then,  when  we  have  done  our  feast, 

We'll  have  a  glorious  fight! 
Are  ye  all  there,  my  Thomas  cats ; 
;    Mine  eyes  are  waxing  dim ; 
Now,  wash  your  faces,  bristle  up, 

And  get  in  fighting  trim. 

"Ye're  there,  and  yet  I  see  ye  not — 

Come,  clinch  together,  now, 
And  let  me  hear  you  scratch  and  fight; 

We'll  have  a  glorious  row! 


i*S  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

I  hear  it  faintly ;  louder  yet ! 

What  clogs  my  breath,  I  say? 
Up,  all,  and  scratch,  and  fight  and  yawl, 

And  scare  grim  Death  away  !" 

Teeth  bit  with  teeth,  cat  fought  with  cat. 

And  rose  a  deafening  yawl, 
And  scared  the  horses  in  that  barn, 

And  made  the  cattle  bawl ! 
"Ho !  cravens,  do  ye  fear  him  ? 

Slaves,  traitors,  have  ye  flown  ? 
Ho,  tom-cats,  have  ye  left  me, 

To  meet  him  here  alone? 

"But  I  defy  him !    Let  him  come !" 

Down  came  his  sharp,  old  claws ; 
And  rage  and  fury  grimly  clashed, 

Within  his  teeth  and  jaws ; 
And  with  his  staring,  yellow  eyes 

Protruding  from  his  head, 
There,  on  a  bunch  of  barley  straw, 

Lay  the  old  rascal,  dead ! 


LITTLE  KITTY. 


'Action  Poem. 


'TITH AT  does  little  Kitty  say? 

VV      "Please  give  "me  a  3  taste  to-day! 
*Bread  and  5  milk  so  nice,  I  see, 
Leave  a  6  little,  please,  for  7  me." 

DIRECTIONS. 

1  Move  right  forefinger.  6  Show  first  two  fingers  of  left  hand, 
a  Point  to  self.  and  cross  them  with  first  finger 

3  Raise  hand  to  mouth.  of  right  hand. 

*  Spread  hand  out  to  right.  "  Point  to  self, 
5  Spread  hand  out  to  left, 


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CATS   AND    KITTENS.  129 


A  FELINE  FATE. 


Anna  Robeson  Brown. 


BECAUSE  the  night  was  bitterly  cold,  Dick  Eaton  put  on  his 
heavy  overcoat,  in  which  everything  was  furlined,  even  to 
le  pockets,  before  starting  for  Mrs.  Leighton's  dinner. 

lie  was,  in  general,  a  happy-hearted  fellow,  but  when  one  has 
1st  received  a  severe  snub  from  one's  lady  love,  one  does  not  con- 
mplate  a  dinner  with  much  satisfaction. 

Dick  was  in  love  with  a  girl  of  wit  as  well  as  of  beauty;  a 
Dung  lady  who  could  afford  to  pick  and  choose. 

Dick's  friends  sang  his  praises  all  day  long,  much  to  Miss  Gir- 
im's  astonishment. 

"I  can  not  understand,"  she  said,  "what  it  is  that  makes  that 
oung  Eaton  fellow  so  popular.     He  hasn't  an  ounce  of  brains." 

So  it  happened  that  on  this  particular  evening  he  was  discour- 
sed. 

The  wind  blew  the  sleet  in  his  face.  He  stumped  along,  grow- 
ig  less  inclined  for  the  chilly  formality  of  a  dinner  at  every  step, 
lalf  the  distance  had  been  traversed  when  he  felt  something 
rush  against  his  foot. 

It  was  a  kitten — a  very  weak,  very  wet,  and  very  miserable 
itten. 

"Hello,  old  man,"  said  Dick.    "Whom  do  you  belong  to?" 

The  kitten  continued  to  blink  at  Dick  and  to  shiver  helplessly. 

It  was  so  very  small  that  it  staggered  and  slid  about  when  it 
ried  to  stand. 

"We'll,  I'm  awfully  sorry,  but  I  can't  help  it,  you  know.  Run 
ome  to  your  mamma.    You're  far  too  little  to  be  out  alone." 

He  started  to  move  away,  but  the  kitten  sprang  feebly  up  his 

eg,  and  clung  there.     Dick  was  fond  of  cats.     He  lifted  it,  and 

ubbed  the  rough  fur  for  dryness ;  the  kitten  sat  on  his  arm  and 

I  eld  its  head  first  to  one  side  and  then  to  the  other,    "Well,  you 


130  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

are  cool;  but  I  say,  old  man,  what  am  I  to  do  with  you,  yoi 
know?"' 

The  kitten  purred.    The  purr  settled  it. 

"Well,  I  suppose  you  have  got  to  come ;  only,  old  man,  I  musl 
say  I  wish  you  had  chosen  to  favor  me  on  my  way  home." 

And  the  kitten  gave  a  jubilant  burst  of  purr  which  sounded 
apologetic. 

Dick  transferred  it  to  his  pocket,  which,  as  it  was  a  very  small 
kitten,  was  roomy  quarters.  Dick  walked  briskly  on,  chuckling 
to  himself,  yet  reflecting  on  his  situation  with  some  anxiety. 

He  simply  could  not  produce  the  beast  upon  entering  Mrs. 
Leighton's  parlors.  If  the  animal  would  stay  quietly  in  his  pocket 
it  might  not  be  so  hard  to  conceal  it  during  the  meal,  and  he  would 
excuse  himself  as  early  as  possible. 

"Now,  old  man,"  he  said  to  the  kitten,  as  they  stood  on  the 
door-step,  "I  have  done  3^011  a  good  turn,  you  know,  so  I  expect 
you  to  do  me  another  by  lying  low  and  keeping  dark.  Don't  give 
yourself  away,  if  you  love  me." 

Never  was  a  dinner  so  long.  They  had  allotted  him  to  a  little 
girl  in  her  first  season,  and  he  was  far  away  from  Miss  Girton's 
end  of  the  table. 

With  the  third  course  came  a  new  torment.  That  kitten  was 
starving,  Dick  had  no  doubt  of  it.  He  looked  about  him  for 
something  to  slip  into  his  pocket.  Chicken  with  truffles,  or  Roman 
punch  was  hardly  the  diet  any  self-respecting  cat  would  select  for 
her  offspring.  Dick  passed  three  courses  endeavoring  to  manu- 
facture some  excuse  for  leaving  the  table,  but  finally  gave  up  in 
despair,  resolving  to  wait  until  the  ladies  retired  to  the  drawing- 
room. 

When  the  cigars  had  been  lighted  and  chairs  pushed  back,  he 
felt  his  hour  had  come. 

"Leighton,"  he  said,  addressing  his  host,  "would  you — could 
I — ah,  that  is — would  it  be  too  much  trouble  to  get  me  a  glass  of 
milk?" 
".  An  amazed  silence  fell  upon  the  party, 

"Milk  J"  said  the  host 


§ 


fc 


V 


in 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  131 

"Well,  you  see,  the  doctor  ordered  me  after  every  meal " 


"Oh,  of  course,  if  you  like,"  and  the  butler  brought  a  large 
ambler  of  milk  and  placed  it  solemnly  before  Dick,  during  a 
ather  chilly  silence.  He  was  forced  to  gulp  down  at  least  half 
le  glass.    Meanwhile,  how  to  get  away  ? 

"Leighton,"  he  said,  "did  I  hear  you  say  that  Gladstone  had 
een  criticized  in  the  'Times'  for  that  last  speech  of  his?" 

"Yes,"  said  Leighton,  "and  of  all  the  unwarrantable " 

^j  The  men  pushed  the  bottles  into  the  center  of  the  table,  squared 
heir  elbows,  and  in  ten  minutes,  as  Dick  had  anticipated,  were  far 
ao  deep  in  politics  to  observe  his  movements.  With  the  half- 
mished  glass  of  milk  in  his  hand,  he  rose  and  wandered  out  of 
he  door  and  down  the  hall  to  where  his  overcoat  hung. 

The  kitten  was  awake  and  restless.  Dick  felt  that  he  was  just 
1  time.  He  held  it  under  one  arm,  and  carefully  tilted  the  glass 
'or  it  until  every  drop  was  gone. 

3  "There,  old  man,  you  feel  better,  don't  you?  Have  a  cigar  after 
ou  drink  ?"  The  sound  of  chairs  being  pushed  about  in  the  din- 
ig-room  struck  him  with  sudden  panic.  He  spilled  the  kitten 
hastily  into  his  pocket  again  and  sped  back  with  the  empty 
lass. 

In  the  drawing-room  Miss  Girton  was  in  her  element,  and  Dick 
]yed  her  from  afar  with  a  heavy  heart. 

Soon  the  people  wandered  out  by  twos  and  three,  a  few  into 
le  softly  lighted  hall.  Miss  Girton  was  one  of  these,  and  Dick 
s  a  matter  of  course  joined  the  group  of  men  gathered  around 
er.    The  ribbon  of  her  bouquet  had  become  untied,  and  she  rolled 

in  her  fingers,  and  trailed  it  to  and  fro  over  the  shining  wood 
oor  as  she  talked. 

Suddenly  there  was  a  stir  among  the  overcoats  and  two  bright 
oots  met  Dick's  eyes — two  sparks  of  topaz  fire.  Oh,  that  fasci- 
iating  blue  ribbon  !  How  it  curved  and  trailed  about !  What  kit- 
en  could  have  resisted  the  temptation?  .  ...  1  ;•. 

Dick  made  a  sudden  plunge. 

"Your  ribbon  is  untied,"  he  said,  offering  it  to  Miss  Girton, 
nth  nervous  politeness. 


132  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

"Thank  you,"  she  said.     She  let  it  dangle  from  her  hand  for 
minute,  and  then  shook  it.  out  in  a  long  curved  line.     No  morta 
kitten  could  withstand  that. 

There  was  a  bound  and  a  rush  and  the  scamper  of  four  sof 
little  paws,  and  Dick's  unfortunate  waif  lay  on  its  back  unde 
Miss  Girton's  very  feet,  kicking  and  clawing  at  the  ribbon  in  at 
ecstacy  of  playful  excitement. 

"Good  gracious !"  exclaimed  Miss  Girton.  "Where  did  tha 
come  from?" 

"It's  a  cat,  by  Jove!"  said  somebody. 

Then  Dick,  feeling  cold  and  weak  all  over,  made  a  step  for 
ward. 

"It's  mine;  I  picked  it  up.  It  was  so  cold  and  wet,  yot 
know " 

"Did  you  find  it?" — "Was  it  here  all  the  time?" — "Where  did 
it  come  from?"  Everybody  crowded  around,  while  the  kitten 
made  short  charges  at  the  ribbon,  batted  at  it  with  its  paws,  and 
kicked  at  it  frantically  with  its  hind  legs. 

Dick  told  the  story  with  a  sinking  heart.  What  would  she  think 
of  him?  What  would  she  say?  She  did  not  say  anything,  but 
nearly  everybody  else  did. 

"Come,  Eaton,  cried  the  host,  laughing.     "That  milk " 

"Yes,"  said  Dick,  scarlet,  but  sturdy,  "it  was  for  the  kitten." 

There  was  a  roar  of  laughter  from  the  men,  and  then  the  joke 
had  to  be  explained  to  the  ladies. 

"And  why  did  you  not  produce  the  beast  right  away,"  said 
Leighton.  "By  the  way,  there's  a  smart  fox-terrier  of  mine  up- 
stairs.   Let's  introduce  them  and  have  some  fun." 

Dick  made  a  dash  for  his  protege. 

"No,  you  don't.  This  little  beast's  had  quite  enough  of  that 
sort  of  thing,  I  fancy.  I'm  going  to  take  it  home  and  make  it 
comfortable.  You  don't  mind  living  with  me,  old  man?  We'll 
be  pretty  good  chums  so  long  as  you  don't  smoke  bad 
tobacco." 

He  got  on  his  overcoat  and  said  good-bye  to  his  hostess  amid  a 
fire  of  good-natured  chaff.    Then  he  looked  around  for  Miss  Gir- 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  133 

}n.  She  was  standing  alone,  and  her  face  wore  a  curious  expres- 
ion.  Dick,  with  his  prize  cuddled  up  in  his  arms,  came  over  to 
er. 

"All  that  for  a  kitten?"  she  said.    "Why  was  it?" 
"Oh,  well,  it  liked  me,  and  it  was  so  beastly  wet,  you  know." 
She  gave  him  her  hand  with  a  sudden  dazzling-  smile. 
"Won't  you  come  and  see  me  to-morrow?    I  shall  be  quite  alone 
atill  the  afternoon,  and  I  do  so  want  to  hear  about— about  the  kit- 


THE  DISHONEST  CAT. 


Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


A  CAT  whose  name,  I've  heard,  was  Tab, 
Was  known  for  being-  very  bad. 
Her  home  was  good,  her  mistress  kind, 
But  thieving  seemed  to  fill  her  mind. 

Her  looks  were  rough,  she  was  not  neat, 
From  tip  of  nose  to  dirty  feet ; 
And  all  her  ways,  they  were  so  sly, 
One  could  not  bear  to  have  her  nigh. 

Her  greatest  crime  was  from  some  dish 

To  steal  the  meat,  or  often  fish  ; 

And  milk,  if  left  in  pan  to  cream. 

If  Tab  was  'round  she'd  skim  it  clean. 

One  time  she  got  herself  in  plight, 
This  naughty  cat  (it  serv'd  her  right!) 
She  stuck  her  nose  in  soup  so  hot, 
She  ran  out  doors  like  she  was  shot. 


134.  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

And  from  the  house,  she  stayed  for  days, 
Though  never  mended  her  bad  ways. 
For  she  did  steal  from  neighbors'  cats, 
Their  food  left  out  upon  the  mat. 

And  often  was  she  in  disgrace, 
And  couldn't  look  you  in  the  face, 
And  came  to  grief  at  last,  I'm  told, 
For  thieving  and  from  being  bold. 

MORAL. 

Now  boys  and  girls,  a  lesson  learn, 
From  your  nice  ways,  oh,  never  turn ; 
For  if  you  do,  perhaps  like  Tab, 
Your  fate  may  be — why,  twice  as  bad. 


WALTER  SAVAGE  LANDOR'S  FAVORITE  CAT,  CHINCHINILLO. 


Addressed  to  His  Child,  Carlino. 


DOES  Chinchinillo  follow  thee  about? 
Inverting  one  swart  foot  suspensively 
And  wagging  his  dread  jaw  at  every  chirp 
Of  bird  above  him  on  the  olive  branch  ? 
Frighten  him  then  away !     'Twas  he  who  slew 
Our  pigeons,  our  white  pigeons  peacock-tailed, 
That  feared  not  you  and  me — alas  nor  him ! 
I  flattened  his  striped  sides  along  my  knee, 
And  reasoned  with  him  on  his  bloody  mind, 
Till  he  looked  blandly  and  half-closed  eyes 
To  ponder  on  my  lecture  in  the  shade. 
I  doubt  his  memory  much,  his  heart  a  little, 
And  in  some  minor  matters   (may  I  say  it?) 
Could  wish  him  rather  sager. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 
HOMELESS  KITTEN. 


135 


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Jane  Campbell. 

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CATS   AND   KITTENS. 
MY  OLD  GRAY  CAT  AND  I. 


Joe  Lincoln. 


THE  wind  blows  shrill  and  the  night  is  chill 
And  the  black  clouds  hide  the  moon, 
And  the  raindrops  splash  on  the  window  sash 

In  a  lazy,  lonesome  tune ; 
But  the  fire  burns  low,  with  a  rosy  glow, 

As  the  sifting  cinders  die, 
And  we  sit  and  dream  in  its  cosy  gleam, — 
My  old  gray  cat  and  I. 

The  smoke-wreaths  curl  from  my  pipe  and  whirl 

Aloft  in  the  dusky  gloom, 
And  the  buzzing  burr  of  the  cat's  soft  purr 

Hums  low  through  the  raftered  room ; 
And  the  raging  rout  of  the  storm,  without, 

May  scream  in  the  chimney,  high, 
We're  blithe  to-night,  by  the  fire's  warm  light, — 

My  old  gray  cat  and  I. 

The  squire  may  stand  by  his  hearth  so  grand, 

In  his  palace  rich  and  old, 
But  his  haughty  breast  has  a  deep  unrest, 

For  he  fears  for  his  bonds  and  gold ; 
No  wealth  have  we,  so  our  hearts  are  free, 

And  our  cot  is  warm  and  dry, 
We  feel  no  care,  in  our  easy  chair, — 

My  old  gray  cat  and  I. 

From  its  well-worn  hook,  in  the  chimney's  nook, 

I  take  my  fiddle  down, 
And  snugly  in,  'neath  my  grizzled  chin, 

I  cuddle  its  breast  of  brown; 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  137 

And  the  strain  that  rings  from  the  crooning  strings, 

Bids  grief  to  the  four  winds  fly, 
While  the  sweet  notes  swell,  we  know  so  well, — 

My  old  gray  cat  and  I. 

For  Puss,  old  chum,  whate'er  may  come, 

You're  still  a  comrade  true, 
Through  shine  or  rain  you  ne'er  complain, 

So  here's  good  health  to  you  : 
The  best  of  luck,  my  ancient  buck, 

While  old  Time  hurries  by ; 
Till  this  world  ends  we'll  be  fast  friends, — 

My  old  gray  cat  and  I. 


CAT  AND  FOX. 


A  Fable. 


'A  CAT  once  met  a  fox  in  a  forest.  The  fox  bragged  so  much 
f\  about  the  many  tricks  he  could  do  that  the  cat  felt  she 
lust,  in  some  way,  reply. 

Finally,  she  said,  very  modestly :   "Well,  I  only  know  how  to 
o  one  thing.     It's  my  only  trick." 

"You  don't  say  so!"  replied  the  fox,  patronizingly.     "Why,  I 
an  do  no  end  of  tricks." 

j  The  cat  stared  at  the  fox,  enviously,  and  was  suddenly  aroused 
y  hearing  the  horns  of  the  king's  hunters  and  the  barking  of 
le  dogs.  The  cat  ran  up  the  tree  and,  sitting  on  a  branch, 
matched  the  approach  of  the  cavalcade,  with  serenity. 

"I  thought  you  could  do  only  one  thing,"  cried  out  the  dis- 
racted  fox  as  he  ran  away. 

"I  can,"  the  cat  answered.    "But  this  happens  to  be  my  trick." 

Then  the  cat  had  the  satisfaction  to  see  the  dogs,  after  barking 
bout  the  foot  of  the  tree,  run  after  the  fox. 


138  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

MISS  EDITH'S  MODEST  REQUEST. 


Bret  Harte. 


t 


U 


MY  papa  knows  you,  and  he  says  you're  a  man  who  makes 
reading  for  books; 
But  I  never  read  nothing  you  wrote,  nor  did  papa — I  know  by  •, 

his  looks ; 
So  I  guess  you're  like  me  when  I  talk,  and  I  talk  and  I  talk  all 

the  day, 
And  they  only  say,  "Do  stop  that  child !"  or,  "Nurse,  take  Miss 
Edith  away!" 

But  papa  said  if  I  was  good,  I  could  ask  you — alone  by  myself — 
If  you  wouldn't  write  me  a  book  like  that  little  one  up  on  the 

shelf. 
I  don't  mean  the  pictures,  of  course,  for  to  make  them  you've  got 

to  be  smart ; 
But  the  reading  that  runs  all  around  them,  you  know — just  the 

easiest  part. 

You  needn't  mind  what  it's  about,  for  no  one  will  see  it  but  me 
And  Jane — that's  my  nurse — and  John — he's  the  coachman — just 

only  us  three. 
You're  to  write  of  a  bad  little  girl,  that  was  wicked  and  bold,  and 

all  that ; 
And  then  you  are  to  write,  if  you  please,  something  good — very 

good — of  a  cat ! 

This  cat  she  was  virtuous  and  meek,  and  kind  to  her  parents,  and 

mild, 
And  careful  and  neat  in  her  ways,  though  her  mistress  was  such 

a  bad  child ; 
And  hours  she  would  sit  and  would  gaze  when  her  mistress — 

that's  me — was  so  bad, 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  139 

id  blink,  just  as  if  she  would  say,  "O  Edith!  you  make  my 

heart  sad." 

• 
ad  yet,  you  would  scarcely  believe  it,  that  beautiful,  angelic  cat 
'as  blamed  by  the  servants   for  stealing  whatever,  they  said, 

she'd  get  at, 
nd  when  John  drank  my  milk — don't  you  tell  me !  I  know  just 

the  way  it  was  done — 
ley  said  'twas  the  cat — and  she  sitting  and  washing  her  face  in 

the  sun!  •• 

nd  then  there  was  Dick,  my  canary.    When  I  left  the  cage  open, 

one  day, 
hey  all  made  believe  that  she  ate  it,  though  I  know  that  the 

bird  flew  away, 
nd  why?    Just  because  she  was  playing  with  a  feather  she  found 

on  the  floor. 
;s  if  cats  couldn't  play  with  a  feather  without  people  thinking 
'  •    'twas  more. 

/hy,  once  we  were  romping  together,  when  I  knocked  down  a 

vase  from  the  shelf; 
hat  cat  was  as  grieved  and  distressed  as  if  she  had  done  it  her- 

'  self; 
md  she  walked  away  sadly  and  hid  herself,  and  never  came  out 

until  tea — 

o  they  say,  for  they  sent  me  to  bed,  and  she  never  came  even  to 
me. 

Jo  matter  whatever  happened,  it  was  laid  at  the  door  of  that  cat. 
Vhy,  once,  when  I  tore  my  apron — she  .was  wrapped  in  it,  and  I 

called  "Rat!"— 
Vhy,  they  blamed  that  on  her.    I  shall  never — no,  not  to  my  dying 

day — 
rorget  the  pained  looked  that  she  gave  me  when  they  slapped  me 

and  took  me  away. 


140  CATS   AND  KITTENS. 

Of  course,  you  know  just  what  comes  next  when  a  child  is  a 

lovely  as  that. 
She  wasted  quite  slowly  away — it  was  goodness  was  killing  tha 

cat. 
I  know  it  was  nothing  she  ate,  for  her  taste  was  exceedingl 

nice; 
But  they  said  she  stole  Bobby's  ice-cream,  and  caught  a  bad  cole 

from  the  ice. 

And  you'll  promise  to  make  me  a  book  like  that  little  one  up  01 

the  shelf. 
And  you'll  call  her  "Naomi,'  because  it's  a  name  that  she  jusi 

gave  herself; 
For  she'd  scratch  my  door  in  the  morning,  and  whenever  I'd  call 

out  "Who's  there?':'—    . 
She  would  answer,  "Naomi !  Naomi !"  like  a  Christian,  I  vow  and 

declare.  *'" 

And  you'll  put  me  and  her  in  ab)6ok.    And,  mind,  you're  to  say  I 

was  bad ; 
And  I  might  have  been  badder  than  that  but  for  the  example  I 

had. 
And  you'll  say  that  she  was  a  Maltese —     And  what's  that  you 

asked?    "Is  she  dead?" 
Why,  please  sir,  there  ain't  any  cat!    You're  to  make  one  up  out 

of  your  head !' 


MISS  KITTY  MANX  TO  SIR  THOMAS  ANGORA. 


Mary  S.  Boyd. 


SIR  THOMAS,  pardon  me  I  pray, 
But  I  would  like  to  know 
If  you  could  not  direct  me  to 
The  swamp  where  cat-tails  grow  ? 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  141 


A  PRINCE  OF  NEWFOUNDLAND;  OR,  ONLY  A  DOG  AND  A 

KITTEN. 


Celia  Thaxter. 


THE  shower  had  ceased,  but  the  city  street 
Was  flooded  still  with  drenching  rain, 
Though  men  and  horses  with  hurrying  feet 
Swept  on  their  busy  ways  again. 

The  gutter  ran  like  a  river  deep ; 

By  the  clean-washed  pavement  fast  it  rushed,, 
As  out  of  the  spouts  with  a  dash  and  a  leap 

The  singing,  sparkling  water  gushed. 

A  little  kitten  with  ribbon  blue 

Crossed  over  the  way  to  the  gutter's  brink ; 
With  many  a  wistful,  plaintive  mew, 

She  seemed  at  the  edge  to  shudder  and  shrink. 

And  there  she  stood  while  her  piteous  cries 
Were  all  unheard  by  the  heedless  throng, 

Looking  across  with  such  longing  eyes ; 

But  the  torrent  was  all  too  swift  and  strong. 

Up  the  streets,  o'er  the  pavements  wide, 

Wandered  our  Prince  from  Newfoundland, 

Stately  and  careless  and  dignified, 
Gazing  about  him  on  either  hand. 

The  sun  shone  out  on  his  glossy  coat, 
And  his  beautiful  eyes,  soft  and  brown, 

With  quiet,  observant  glance  took  note 
Of  all  that  was  passing  him,  up  and  down. 


142  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

He  heard  the  kitten  that  wailed  and  mewed, 
Stopped  to  look  and  investigate, 

The  whole  situation  understood, 
And  went  at  once  to  the  rescue  straight. 

Calmly  out  into  the  street  walked  he, 
Up  to  the  poor  little  trembling  waif, 

Lifted  her  gently  and  carefully, 

And  carried  her  over  the  water  safe. 

And  set  her  down  on  the  longed-for  shore, 
Licked  her  soft  coat  with  a  kind  caress, 

Left  her  and  went  on  his  way  once  more, 
The  picture  of  noble  thoughtfulness. 

Only  a  dog  and  a  cat,  you  say  ? 

Could  a  human  being  understand 
And  be  more  kind  in  a  human  way 

Than  this  fine  old  Prince  of  Newfoundland? 

O  children  dear,  'tis  a  lesson  sweet : 
If  a  poor  dumb  dog  so  wise  can  be, 

We  should  be  gentle  enough  to  treat 

All  creatures  with  kindness  and  courtesy. 

For  surely  among  us  there  is  not  one 
Who  such  an  example  could  withstand ; 

Who  would  wish  in  goodness  to  be  outdone 
By  a  princely  dog  from  Newfoundland. 


Q.ues. — What  kind  of  a  cat  do  we  usually  find  in  a  large 
library  ? 

Ans. — Catalogue. 

Qucs. — Why  are  cats  like  unskillful  surgeons? 

Ans. — Because  they  mew-till-late  and  destroy  patience  (pa- 
tients), 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  143 

THE  DUEL. 


Eugene   Field. 


THE  gingham  dog  and  the  calico  cat 
Side  by  side  on  the  table  sat, 
'Twas  half  past  twelve,  and  what  do  you  think, 
Neither  of  them  had  slept  a  wink ! 
And  the  old  Dutch  clock  and  Chinese  plate 
Seemed  to  know,  as  sure  as  fate, 
There  was  going  to  be  an  awful  spat. 

(I  wasn't  there— I  simply  state 

What  was  told  to  me  by  the  Chinese  plate.) 

The  gingham  dog  went  "Bow- wow- wow!" 

And  the  calico  cat  replied  "Me-ow!" 

And  the  air  was  streaked  for  an  hour  or  so 

With  fragments  of  gingham  and  calico, 

While  the  old  Dutch  clock  in  the  chimney-place 

Up  with  its  hands  before  its  face, 

For  it  always  dreaded  a  family  row ! 

(Now,  mind,  I'm  simply  telling  you 

What  the  old  Dutch  clock  declares  is  true.) 

The  Chinese  plate  looked  very  blue 

And  wailed :   "Oh,  dear,  what  shall  we  do !" 

But  the  gingham  dog  and  the  calico  cat 

Wallowed  this  way  and  tumbled  that, 

And  utilized  every  tooth  and  claw 

In  the  awfulest  way  you  ever  saw — 

And,  oh !  how  the  gingham  and  calico  flew ! 

(Don't  think  that  I  exaggerate — 

I  got  my  news  from  the  Chinese  plate.) 


144  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

Next  morning,  where  the  two  had  sat, 
They  found  no  trace  of  dog  or  cat; 
And  some  folks  think  unto  this  day 
That  burglars  stole  that  pair  away ; 
But  the  truth  about  that  cat  and  pup 
Is  that  they  ate  each  other  up — 
Now,  what  do  you  really  think  of  that? 

(The  old  Dutch  clock,  it  told  me  so, 
And  that  is  how  I  came  to  know.) 


IK  THE  HAY-LOFT. 


Helen  Thayer  Hutcheson. 


UP  in  the  hay-loft— kitten  and  I ! 
With  a  window  open  to  the  sky, 
Curtained  with  boughs  of  the  chestnut-trees 
That  toss  and  sway  in  the  cool  west  breeze. 

The  dome  of  the  sky  with  a  cloud  is  lined, 
And  the  rain  comes  down  when  it  has  a  mind, 
Pelting  the  leaves  of  the  chestnut-tree ; 
Never  the  rain  can  touch  kitten  and  me. 

Up  in  the  hay-loft — kitten  and  I ! 
The  hay  behind  us  is  mountain  high ; 
The  beams  across  are  dusty  enough ; 
Darkness  broods  in  the  peak  of  the  roof. 

In  pearly  lines  the  daylight  falls 
Through  the  chinks  of  the  boarded  walls ; 
The  air  is  fragrant  with  clover  dried, 
Brake  and  daisies  and  things  beside. 


"'Twas  but  a  dream." 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  145 

Queer  little  spiders  drop  down  from  on  high ; 
Softly  we  welcome  them — kitten  and  I ! 
Swallows  chirp  in  a  lazy  strain 
Between  the  showers  of  the  summer  rain. 

Let  the  rain  come  down  from  the  clouded  sky, 
We're  quiet  and  cosy — kitten  and  I ! 
We  muse  and  purr  and  think  out  a  rhyme, 
And  never  know  what  has  become  of  time. 

People  down  there  in  the  world  below, 
They  toil  and  moil  and  get  dinner  and  sew; 
Up  in  the  hay  we  lazily  lie ; 
We  have  no  troubles — kitten  and  I ! 

Kitten  purrs  and  stretches  and  winks, 

She  doesn't  speak,  but  I  know  what  she  thinks ; 

Never  a  king  had  a  throne  so  high, 
Never  a  bird  had  a  cosier  nest ; 
There  is  much  that  is  good,  but  we  have  the  best — 

Kitten,  kitten  and  I ! 


EMBLEMATIC  SIGNIFICATION  OF  CAT. 


IN  hieroglyphics  of  ancient  monuments  of  Egypt  a  cat  repre- 
sents false  friendship,  or  a  deceitful,  flattering  friendship. 
In  heraldry,  a  cat  is  an  emblem  of  liberty,  because  it  dislikes 
to  be  shut  up. 

In  coat-of-arms,  the  cat  must  always  be  represented  as  full 
face — -both  eyes  and  both  ears  to  show.  Three  cats  in  pale  sable 
is  the  coat  of  the  family  of  Kent  of  Devonshire. 

The  cat  is  always  the  emblematic  animal  of  newspaper  offices 
and  editors'  chairs  of  to-dav. 


146 


CATS  AND  KITTENS. 


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CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


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150  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


EVERY  MOTHER'S  LOVE  THE  BEST. 


AS  I  went  over  the  hills  one  day, 
I  listened,  and  heard  a  mother  sheep  say, 
"In  all  the  green  world  there  is  nothing  so  sweet 
As  my  little  lammie  with  his  nimble  feet ; 
With  his  eyes  so  bright,  and  his  wool  so  white, 
Oh !  he  is  my  darling,  my  heart's  delight. 
The  robin  that  sings  in  yonder  tree, 
Dearly  may  dote  on  his  darlings  four, 
But  I  love  my  one  little  lammie  more." 
So  the  mother  sheep  and  her  little  one, 
Side  by  side,  lay  down  in  the  sun, 
And  there  let  them  lie  on  the  hillside  warm, 
While  my  little  darling  lies  here  on  my  arm. 

I  went  to  the  kitchen,  and  what  did  I  see 

But  the  old  gray  cat  and  her  kittens  three ; 

I  heard  her  whispering  soft  and  low, 

"My  kittens  with  their  tails  so  cunningly  curled,  ] 

Are  the  prettiest  things  in  all  the  world. 

The  birds  in  the  tree,  and  the  old  sheep,  they 

May  love  their  babies  exceedingly, 

But  I  love  my  kittens  from  morn  to  night, 

With  their  fur  so  soft,  and  clean  and  white. 

AVhich  is  the  prettiest,  I  cannot  tell, 

I  cannot  choose,  I  love  all  so  well ; 

So  I  will  take  up  these  kittens  I  love. 

And  we'll  lie  down  together  beneath  the  warm  stove." 

There  they  snugly  lie  under  the  stove  so  warm, 

While  my  little  darling  lies  here  on  my  arm. 

I  went  to  the  yard  and  saw  the  old  hen 
Go  clucking  about  with  her  chickens  ten ; 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  A     151 

She  clucked,  and  she  scratched, 

And  she  bristled  away, 

And  what  do  you  think  I  heard  her  say  ? 

I  heard  her  say,  "The  sun  never  did  shine 

On  anything  like  these  ten  chickens  of  mine. 

You  may  hunt  the  round  moon 

And  the  stars,  if  you  please, 

But  you'll  never  find  any  such  chickens  as  these. 

The.  cat  loves  her  kittens, 

The  sheep  loves  her  lamb, 

But  they  do  not  know  what  a  proud  mother  I  am. 

For  lambs  nor  for  kittens  I  won't  part  with  these, 

Though  the  sheep  and  the  cat  should  go  down  on  their  knees. 

My  dear,  downy  darlings,  my  sweet  little  things, 

Come  nestle  now  cosily  under  my  wings." 

So  the  mother  hen  said,  and  the  chickens  all  sped 

As  fast  as  they  could  to  their  warm  feather-bed. 

And  there  let  them  lie  'neath  the  feathers  so  warm, 

While  my  little  darling  lies  here  on  my  arm. 


ME  AN'  BAB. 


Joy  Vetrepont. 


M 


E  an'  Bab  we  went  to  church,  an'  Bab  she  saw  a  mouse. 
An' — course  she  wanted  to  catch  him.  An'  she  slipped  out 
under  my  sack,  where  I'd  hid  her  when  we  went  to  church,  an' 
was  out  of  the  pew  quicker'n  no  time. 

Well,  my  pa's  a  dicken,  an'  he  had  a  correction-box,  an'  he  was 
a-leanin'  over  with  the  correction-box  stretched  out  so  't  Frankie 
Hill,  what  sat  in  the  farthest  corner,  could  put  in  a  cent,  an'  all 
the  people  was  givin'  centses,  too,  an'  ten  cents,  too,  an'  five 
cents,  too,  and  he  was  a-stretchin'  out  the  correction-box  to 
Frankie,  an'  just  then  the  mouse  ran  right  acrost  his  feet  an'  Bab 


15^  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

after  him.  An'  my  papa  he  gave  a  queer  sort  of  a  cry,  an' 
dropped  the  correction-box,  an'  all  the  centses  fell  on  the  floor  in 
Frankie  Hill's  pew,  an' — an'  my  pa's  face  went  redder'n  red,  an' 
his  ears,  an'  his  neck,  an'  he  turns  around  an'  sees  our  Bab  scanv 
perin'  after  the  mouse,  an'  he  started  to  go  after  her,  an'  every- 
body on  our  side  was  a-lookin'  at  Bab,  an'  the  people  on  the  other 
side  that  couldn't  see  Bab  was  lookin'  at  my  pa,  an'  then  they  all 
looked  at  Mr.  Green — that's  the  minister — an'  Mr.  Green  he  was 
lookin'  orful  solemn.  An'  the  mouse  ran  acrost  the  raised  places 
covered  with  red  carpet,  where  the  minister  sits,  an'  he  ran  under 
his  chair,  an'  Bab  after  him.  An'  all  the  dickens  had  laid  down 
their  correction-boxes  an'  was  goin'  there,  too — not  under  the 
chair  I  don't  mean — but  up  to  the  raised  place  with  red  carpet,  an' 
the  mouse  he  scampered  to  the  door  that's  one  side  of  where  the 
min'ster  sits,  an'  he  couldn't  get  out,  an'  there  wasn't  no  hole  for 
him,  an'  Bab  was  after  him  lickety  split,  an' — an' — he  corned  back 
an'  ran  into  old  Miss  Tromley's  pew,  an'  she  screamed  an'  ran  out, 
an'  then  there  was  a  reg'lar  scrimmage ;  an'  the  dickens  was  all 
mixed  up,  an'  Bab  was  among  their  feet,  an'  my  pa  he  stooped 
down,  an'  then  he  came  down  'tween  the  pews  with  Bab  in  his 
arms,  an'  his  face  was  orful.  An'  he  went  out  with  Bab,  an'  the 
other  dickens  went  for  their  boxes. 

An'  Mr.  Green  he  dropped  his  hank-cher,  and  he  was  orful  long 
pickin'  it  up ;  an'  then  he  coughed,  an'  hid  his  face  in  his  hank'cher, 
an'  he  shooked  all  over  just  like  he  did  when  my  pa  told  that 
story  about  the  dicken  what  put  the  wrong  plaster  on  his  nose ; 
an'  everybody  was  laughin,  but  /  was  cryin',  'cause  I  didn't  know 
what  my  pa  would  do  to  Bab — of — or — me. 

An'  Frankie  Hill  was  pickin'  up  centses  in  his  pew  when  my  pa 
corned  back ;  an'  he  took  me  by  the  arm,  an'  led  me  out  of  church, 
an'  says,  very  stern — 

"Go  home!" 

An'  our  house  is  close  by,  so  I  wrent  all  by  myself,  an'  my  pa 
went  back  to  his  correction-box.  An'  I  don't  know  what  came  of 
the  mouse ;  but  Jemima  Jane  says  it's  a  good  thing  my  ma's  away, 
an'  I'll  get  a  proper  "correction-box"  when  she  gets  home. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


*53 


THE  CATS'  MERRY,  MERRY  MEETING. 


'Action  Song  for  Six  Boys  and  a  Chorus. 


Stanley  Schell 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


Costume:  Every  boy  wears  a  different  colored  costume  made 
from  cambric  or  cotton  cloth.  First  a  hood  is  made  perfectly 
tight-fitting  and  covering  all  except  the  eyes,  nose  and  mouth. 
Then  ears  are  made  and  fastened  to  side  of  head.  The  rest 
of  costume  is  made  like  a  little  boy's  night-suit,  but  perfectly 
tight-fitting  and  open  at  the  back.  The  suit  is  so  made  that 
feet  and  hands  are  covered  by  the  sleeves,  and  legs  being  of 
sufficient  length  to  form  a  sort  of  glove  or  stocking.  To  the 
lower  back  of  the  costume  is  attached  a  tail  made  from  the 
goods  rolled  in  a  long  coil  and  sewed  together,  then  attached 
to  suit.     Every  boy  wears  a  cat-mask  fitted  under  hood. 

Stage  Setting  :     At  stage  center  should  be  placed  a  table  with 
lighted  lamp  above  it.     On  table  a  large  pan  of  milk. 
Music :  "Merry,  Merry  Cats." 

[Chorus  begins  to  sing  and  the  cats  come  wandering  in  from 
all  parts  of  stage  and  on  all  fours  and  to  act  out  the  zvords  sung.] 

MERRY,  MERRY  CATS. 


Hz 


-N— V- 


H^J! 


i 


h^-^v— \-  --A fc— I— 


N— i- 


*=} 


:1S4  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

Some  merry  cats,  once  on  a  time, 

Had  a  merry,  merry  meeting: 

They  said  "Good  Day"  and  "How  De  Do?" 

Amid  some  very  loud  meowing. 

Actions  :  Boys  smile  as  they  enter  and  see  the  other  cats ;  then, 
as  they  slowly  edge  around  in  alert  fashion  and  catch  the 
others'  eyes,  they  bow,  move  along,   say  "Good  Day"  and 

"How  De  Do?"  and  scamper  quickly  about  "meowing"  as 
they  go. 

Chorus  sings  as  follows : 

How  they  do  scamper  round  the  room, 
How  they  do  run  and  play ; 
And  such  a  merry  time  they  have, 
These  merry,  merry  cats  to-day. 

Actions  :  Cats  scamper  around,  roll  over  each  other,  give  each 
other  gentle  pats,  etc. 

There  on  the  table  'neath  the  light, 
Is  a  pan  of  milk  so  clean  and  white ; 
The  cats  now  see  it,  and  with  a  cry, 
All  lap  until  the  dish  is  dry. 

Actions  :  Cats  suddenly  stop  playing  as  one  discovers  table  and 
gets  up  to  see  what  is  on  table.  His  discovery  is  learned  by 
his  meow,  and  all  rest  paws  on  table  and  begin  to  lap  milk 
from  pan. 

They  now  feel  full  and  lazy,  too, 
And  walk  about  and  gossip  anew 
Of  mice  and  all  the  latest  styles 
Of  rats  and  coats,  hats,  ties  and  shoes. 

Actions:  Cats  having  finished  the  milk  lazily  leave  table,  drop 
to  floor  and  roll  about ;  begin  to  wash  themselves,  then  walk 
about  in  couples  and  act  as  if  gossiping  about  something  of 
greatest  interest 


CATS  AMD   KITTENS.  155 

( 
They  feel  at  last  'tis  growing  late, 

And  yawn  and  stretch  and  say  "Good  Night." 

Then  give  each  other  sleepy  bows, 

Now  see  them  scamper  out  of  sight ! 

Actions  :  Cats  act  sleepy  and  move  about  very  lazily.  They 
yawn  and  stretch  a  bit,  then  nod  to  one  another  sleepily. 
Suddenly  a  crash  is  heard  and  all  the  cats  scamper  out  of 
sight. 


CAT  CONVENTION. 


Edna  A.  Foster. 


A  CONGRESS  was  held  in  Great  Catkin  Town, 
And  all  the  kitties  of  wealth  and  renown 
Met  to  consider  the  mission  of  cats 
As  something  more  than  the  killing  of  rats. 
The  lawyer  declared,  in  a  long-winded  speech, 
That  the  very  habits  of  cats  should  teach 
They  were  born  for  orators  firm  and  true ; 
You  may  hear  them  argue  the  whole  night  through. 
They  turned  the  discussion  this  way  and  that, 
With  an  eloquent  plea  from  every  cat. 
Only  one  admitted  that  he  could  live 
For  love  alone,  and  his  hours  would  give 
To  graceful  posing  on  hearth-rug  and  chair. 
Then  the  clown  spoke  up  and  said:     "I  despair — 
This  weighty  question  I  move  to  give  up ; 
My  feelings  warn  me  'tis  time  to  sup. 
And,  so  with  apologies,  friends,  to  you, 
I  think  I'll  prowl  round  for  a  mouse  or  two !" 
Be  it  said  with  sorrow,  the  president  then 
Gave  a  wee  wink  and  said,  "My  dear  men, 
I  much  regret  the  way  things  have  turned ; 
This  Cat  Convention  is  hereby  adjourned!" 


156  CATS   AMD   KITTENS. 

SOME  CAT  TRAITS. 


Cats  work  while  we  sleep. 

Cats  do  not  mind  the  cold. 

Cats  sing  to  show  friendship. 

Cats  scratch  or  bite  when  annoyed. 

Cats  cannot  catch  game  by  running. 

When  hunting  prey,  cats'  claws  are  sheathed ;  when  seizing  prey, 
their  claws  are  quickly  uncovered  and  thrown  out. 

When  winking  at  us,  cats'  eyes  becomedull  and  expressionless. 

Wnen  darkness  approaches,  pupils  of  cats'  eyes  dilate  and  shine 
brightly. 

When  daylight  strikes  pupil  of  a  cat's  eye,  it  contracts  until 
only  narrow  vertical  slits  remain. 

Cats'  ears  always  stand  erect  to  catch  sound,  except  Chinese 
cats,  who  have  drooping  ears. 

Cats  show  less  fondness  for  human  beings  than  do  most  animals. 

Cats  are  expert  hunters  of  birds,  squirrels,  fish,  mice,  rats. 

Cats  spit  or  purr. 

When  scared,  cats  lay  back  ears,  show  thirty  sharp  teeth,  arch 
back,  raise  tail. 

Cats  have  five  toes  on  each  front  paw  and  four  on  each  back 
paw.  To  each  toe  is  attached  a  sharp  nail  or  claw.  These  claws 
are  covered  by  a  sheath  except  when  in  use. 

Cats  have  twelve  cutting  teeth — six  above  and  six  below.  Cats 
also  have  four  longer  teeth  known  as  canine  teeth,  similar  to 
those  of  nearly  every  carnivorous  animal. 

Cats  love  to  sleep  by  day  and  prowl  by  night. 

When  cats  catch  prey  they  play  with  it  for  a  long  time  before 
killing  it. 

Cats  always  wash  after  eating  or  drinking. 


Ques. — What  is  the  name  of  the  plant  most  fatal  to  mice? 
Ans. — Cat-nip. 


CATS  AMD  KITTENS.  157 

CAT  AND  MOUSE. 


A  MOUSE  was  chased,  and  in  its  haste 
Away  from  claws  to  fly, 
In  use  an  empty  bottle  placed 
That  happened  to  be  nigh. 

Then  pussy,  peeping  through  the  neck, 

Could  scarce  suppress  a  grin 
To  see  how  calm  it  met  her  gaze 

As  safe  it  sat  within. 

She  turned  the  bottle  upside  down 

And  shook  it  freely  there ; 
But  nothing  could  induce  the  mouse 

To  seek  the  open  air. 

Then  lying  down  upon  the  floor 
She  reached  a  paw  to  take  her, 

But  still  the  mouse  had  room  enough 
And  blessed  the  bottle-maker. 

She  raised  the   bottle  overhead 
With  all  the  strength  she  knew, 

And  in  a  thousand  pieces  small 
The  port  of  safety  flew. 

But  while  the  fragments  filled  the  air 

The  mouse  with  action  spry 
Quick  reached  another  hiding-place 

And  squeaked  a  glad  good-bye. 


Ques. — Why  has  a  chambermaid  more  lives  than  a  cat? 
Ans. — Because  each  morning  she  returns  to  dust. 


158  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

LAND  ON  YOUR  FEET. 


Sam  Walter  Foss. 


YOU  take  a  cat  up  by  the  tail, 
And  whirl  him  round  and  round, 
And  hurl  him  but  into  the  air, 

Out  into  space  profound, 
He  through  the  yielding  atmosphere 

Will  many  a  whirl  complete  ; 
But  when  he  strikes  upon  the  ground 
He'll  land  upon  his  feet. 

Fate  takes  a  man,  just  like  a  cat, 

And,  with  more  force  than  grace, 
It  whirls  him  wiggling  round  and  round, 

And  hurls  him  into  space ; 
And  those  that  fall  upon  the  back, 

Or  land  upon  the  head, 
Fate  lets  them  lie  there  where  they  fall— 

They're  just  as  good  as  dead. 

P>ut  some  there  be  that,  like  the  cat, 

Whirl  round  and  round  and  round, 
And  go  gyrating  off  through  space, 

Until  they  strike  the  ground ; 
But  when  at  last  the  ground  and  they 

Do  really  come  to  meet, 
You'll  always  find  them  right  side  up — 

They  land  upon  their  feet. 

And  such  a  man  walks  off  erect, 

Triumphant  and  elate, 
And  with  a  courage  in  his  heart 

He  shakes  his  fist  at  fate; 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  159 

Then  fate  with  a  benignant  smile 

Upon  its  face  outspread, 
Puts  forth  its  soft,  caressing  hand 

And  pats  him  en  the  head. 

And  he's  fate's  darling  from  that  day, 

His  triumph  is  complete ; 
Fate  loves  the  man  who  whirls  and  whirls, 

But  lands  upon  his  feet. 
That  man,  whatever  his  ups  and  downs, 

Is  never   wholly  spurned, 
Whose  perpendicularity 

Is  never  overturned. 


KITTEN'S  VIEW  OF  LIFE. 


Thomas  Westwood. 


KITTEN,  kitten,  two  months  old, 
Woolly  snowball,  lying  snug, 
Curled  up  in  the  warmest  fold 

Of  the  warm  hearth-rug! 
Turn  your  drowsy  head  this  way ; 

What  is  life  ?     Oh,  kitten,  say  ! 
"Life?"  said  the  kitten,  winking  her  eyes, 

And  twitching  her  tail  in  a  droll  surprise, 
"Life?     Oh,  it's  racing  over  the  floor, 

Out  at  the  window  and  in  at  the  door ; 
Now  on  the  chair-back,  now  on  the  table, 

'Mid  balls  of  cotton  and  skeins  of  silk, 
And  crumbs  of  sugar  and  jugs  of  milk, 

All  so  cozy  and  comfortable. 
It's  patting  the  little  dog's  ears,  and  leaping 

Round  him  and  oyer  him  while  he  is  sleeping, 


160  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

Waking  him  up  in  a  sore  affright ; 

Then  off  and  away  like  a  flash  of  light, 
Scouring  and  scampering  out  of  sight. 

Life?     Oh,  it's  rolling  over  and  over 
On  the  summer-green  turf  and  budding  clover ; 

Chasing  the  shadows  as  fast  as  they  run 
Down  the  garden-paths  in  the  mid-day  sun ; 

Prancing  and  gamboling,  brave  and  bold, 
Climbing  the  tree-stems,  scratching  the  mold — 

That's  life!"  said  the  kitten  two  months  old. 


PUSSY  GRAY'S  DINNER. 


THE  lobster  and  fish  on  the  long  table  lay, 
When,  smelling  and  sniffing,  in  walked  Pussy  Gray. 
"I've  had  breakfast,  of  course,  but  fresh  fish  is  rare, 
And  while  no  one's  looking,  I'll  just  take  my  share. 
For  once  I  am  sure,  I  shall  really  rejoice," 
She  remarked,  "to  dine  first  and  make  my  own  choice. 
A  lunch  of  fresh  fish  !     Now  what  could  be  nicer  ? 
I'll  eat  of  you  raw,  the  rest  may  have  fry,  sir. 
What  hinders  my  dining  at  table  to-day? 
The  first  bite  shall  be  mine,"  said  smart  Pussy  Gray. 

But  poor  Puss,  alas !  had  no  chance  to  be  first ! 

The  lobster  was  living,  his  temper  the  worst, 

And  when  Puss  began  to  poke  round  him,  and  claw 

At  his  shell,  he  suddenly  seized  on  her  paw 

And  held  it  with  a  grip  so  exceedingly  tight 

That  no  one  could  question  that  he  had  the  first  bite. 

Puss  mewed  and  she  squalled  and  made  such  a  clatter 

That  cook  rushed  in  to  see  what  was  the  matter. 

"Served  you  right,"  she  cried  crossly,  as  Puss  limped 

away. 
"  'Tis  best  to  be  honest,"  mourned  poor  Pussy  Gray, 


From  Painting  by  L.   Knaus. 

Unhappy  Mother. 


CATS   AND   KITlJ'.NS.  161 

ME  AN'  METHUSELAR. 


Harriet  Ford. 


[.Scene. — An  alley  leading  to  the  stage  entrance  of  the  theater. 
Enter  a  very  ragged  child  carrying  a  pet  cat.  She  looks  cau- 
tiously around  as  if  afraid  of  being  follozved.  Her  dress  is 
draggled  and  she  zvears  an  old  shaivl.  Her  hair  is  tangled 
and  unkempt.] 

NOP — nobody  seed  us,  Methuselar.  Nop — no — o — op. 
Thought  sure  Pike  Cotes 'u'd  guess  what  we  wuz  up  t',  an' 
foller.  Oh — oo  !  Oh — oo !  That  wuz  a  stunner,  wa'n't  it,  Me- 
thuselar? Sit  down  sudden  'nough  that  time,  didn't  we?  Oh — 
oo!  Did  I  smash  his  'ittle  empty  stomach?  Did  I?  Drat 
Daddy?  He  drank  yer  milk,  he  did.  Meuw,  meuw!  You're 
right.  Methuselar.  He's  a  stingy,  skimpy,  skinny  old  stealer. 
That  he  is.  But  you  knowed  you  stayed  out  on  the  roof  half  the 
night — yes,  you  did,  yes,  you  did.  O'  course,  ye're  shamed  of 
it,  now  ye're  starved  an'  sober.  Daddy  got  in  first  an'  swiped 
your  drink,  he  did.  There's  no  ust  o'  me  talkin'.  You  an' 
Daddy  are  dead  set  t'  keep  out  nights.  Yes,  you  be.  yes,  you  be ! 
Never  you  mind.  We'll  buy  a  whole  river  o'  milk  sometime  or 
'nother,  an'  you  shall  jest  swim  in  it,  Methuselar. 

We've  had  a  tough  time  of  it  to-day,  hain't  we  ?  This  'ere's 
me  first  'round  these  diggin's.  Don't  believe  nobody  never 
thought  o'  this  afore.  My  eyes !  but  I  wuz  'fraid  Pike  Cotes  'u'd 
catch  on  an'  sneak  after  us,  but  we  skipped  him.  This  must  be 
the  stage-door.     We'll  jest  set  here  an'  sing,  Methuselar. 

"On  Sunday  night 
'Tis  my  delight 
An'  pleasure,  don't  you  see, 
With  all  the  boys 
An'  all  the  girls " 

Can't  seem  to  rouse  a  shadder,  Methuselar.  Meuw !  Yoti 
knCwed  this  wuz  the  spot  fer  us.     Yes,  you  did,  yes,  you  did. 


162  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Didn't  you  wink  yer  grazy  eyes,  an'  wag  yer  fuzzy  tail  when  I  sat 
an'  thought  it  up.  Now,  you  knowed  from  the  start,  Methuse- 
lar,  that  you  had  t'  toddle  'long  a  me,  an'  you  'greed  to  it,  yes, 
you  did,  you  did.  You  heard  Pike  Cotes  tell  how  he  got  in  the 
the-a-tur  t'run  erruns  an'  things,  an'  he  said  as  how  all  the  acturs 
an'  show  folks  jest  dote  on  cats,  an'  'u'd  have  a  fit  if  one  turned 
agin  'em.  Why,  Puss,  they'd  no  more  dare  walk  by  me  an'  you 
'thout  givin'  us  a  penny  fer  luck — goodness !     Here  comes  one. 

"She's  my  sweetheart,  » 

I'm  her  Joe, 
She's  my  Annie, 

I'm  her  beau. 
Soon  we'll  marry, 
Never  to  part " 

He  can't  be  an  actur,  Methuselar.  Why,  he  looked  right  at 
you  an'  you  never  phased  him.  That  song  did  it,  Methuselar. 
It's  a  Jonah,  ain't  it  ?     Let's  try  anodder. 

"The  heart  bowed  down  by  grief  an' " 

We're  a  sad  pussy  cat, 

A  hungry  pussy  cat, 

An'  a  sad,  sad,  sorrowful  girl. 

Here  comes  somebody  else.     Better  luck  this  time,  Methuselar. 

"On  Sunday  night, 
'Tis  my  delight, 

An'  pleasure,  don't  you  see " 

Oh,  thank  you,  lady, 
Thank  you,  lady, 
Da  de  da,  ah  de  dee — e. 
"There's  an  organ  in  the  parlor 
To  give  the  place  a  tone, 
An'  ye're  welcome  ev'ry  evenin' 
To  Maggie  Murphy's  home." 

My  eyes !  Methuselar,  ain't  it  grand  ?  Hain't  seen  one  afore 
t'-dav.  have  we?  You  caught  her,  Methuselar.  Yes,  you  did, 
you  did !  She's  'fraid  you'd  bring  her  everlastin'  bad  luck.  Guess 
she  don't  know  it's  'bout  all  you  kin  do  t'  hustle  fer  yourself 
'thout  mousin'  'round  hoodooin'  other  folks.  You  couldn't  do 
much  hoodooin'  on  such  an  awful  empty  stomach,  could  you? 
iBrace  up,  Methuselar !     Here  comes  a  swell. 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  163 

Oh,  sir,  jest  a  penny  t'  help  a  girl,  me  an'  puss  are  starvin'. 
Jest  a — 

Oh,  thank  you,  sir !     Thank  you ! 

A  nickle,  as  you're  a  cat  with  whiskers,  Methuselar !  You  done 
it,  you  done  it !  Yes,  you  did — yes,  you  did.  Yer  first  trip,  too, 
ain't  it?  You'll  soon  be  up  t'  the  tricks.  You  do  look  hungry, 
Methuselar,  but  I'll  have  t'  train  you  in  looks.  Now,  jest  t' 
think,  if  you  could  squeeze  out  a  few  tears  while  I  sung,  my  eyes ! 
wouldn't  we  get  rich!  Here  comes  a  beautiful  lady.  Hush  up 
an'  I'll  try  a  new  dodge  on  'er. 

Oh,  lady,  can't  you  give  a  poor  girl  a  lift?  I  do  so  want  t'  see 
you  act  in  the  play.  If  I  could  only  git  a  few  more  pennies,  me 
an'  a  friend  'u'd  clap  you  out  of  sight.  Jest  a  few  pennies,  a 
quarter  or  a  dime,  or  a  nickle  'u'd  do,  lady.  Oh,  thank  you! 
Much  obliged,  much  obliged !     God  bless  you,  lady ! 

Ho,  ho !  Methuselar !  How's  that  ?  Ain't  you  proud  o'  yer 
mudder?  That's  the  way  to  catch  'em.  Pike  put  me  on,  he  did, 
the  night  he  an'  me  went  to  the  play,  an'  he  tole  me  t'  help  him 
raise  the  roof  whenever  his  bloomin'  benefactor  so  much  as  put 
his  nose  on  the  stage. 

Methuselar,  I  don't  think  we  need  to  sing.  Anybody  jest  t' 
look  at  us  'u'd  know  we  wuz  poverty-struck.  Now,  I'd  know  you 
was  the  minit  I  seen  you.  Well,  I  have  t'  sing  t'  make  folks  look, 
I  s'pose.  Oh,  see  this  gentleman,  Methuselar !  I  guess  an  upper- 
atic  song'll  catch  him. 

"She's  plain  Molly  O, 

Tender  an'  sweet ; 
She's  plain  Molly  O, 

An'  my  heart  is  at  her  feet. 
She's  plain  Molly " 

Oh,  thank  you,  sir.  Oh,  thank  you!  Thank  you!  My  name? 
Oh — Ginny  Mur — Genavarur  Murkin's  my  name,  sir.  Yes,  I 
have  t'  sing  or  I  guess  we'd  starve.  I'd  a'  sung  better  for  you 
jest  now  only  I'm  frightful  hungry.  Rats  ain't  in  it  with  me  an' 
Methuselar.  Methuselar?  This  'ere's  Methuselar.  We're  pards. 
Purty  name?  Yes,  we  think  so.  Pike  Cotes,  he  named  him. 
He's  'bout  the  only  friend  I  got,  Pike  is.     He  goes  t'  Sunday 


164  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

school,  Pike  does,  an'  he  tole  me,  he  says :  "Now,  if  you'll  name 
that  'ere  cat  Methuselar,  he'll  live  to  be  as  old  as  this  'ere  house, 
see?" 

Our  house?  Well,  'taint  ourn,  but  we  live  on  top.  Bordun's 
saloon's  on  the  first  floor,  you  see,  an'  Granny  Midders  an'  her 
son's  on  the  second.  Tom  Grimy  an'  his  pard's  the  third,  an' 
Daddy  an'  me  an'  Methuselar's  fourth  back.  That  'ere  saloon's 
the  spite  o'  me  an'  Methuselar's  life,  'cause  Dad  he — he  can't — 
can't  get  by  it  nohow.  He's  richer 'n  we  are,  but  he  has  t'  drink. 
He  can't  help  it  somehow.  He's  purty  weak  lately.  Me  an'  Me- 
thuselar  think  he's  'bout  drowned  out. 

What,  sir?  What,  sir?  Sing — in — the  the-a-tur?  Yes,  sir! 
Yes,  sir — yes— sir !  Sing  in  the  the-a-tur  ?  My  eyes  !  You  don't 
think  they'd  have  me  ?  You  do  ?  Sing  in  the  the-a-tur !  Sing — 
in — oh,  sir,  may  I  try?  I'll  sing — nobody  never  heard  the  way 
I'll  try  for  it,  sir.  Not  alone?  Yes,  I  know,  sir — in  the  chorus, 
yes,  sir.  To-morrow?  Yes,  sir.  Ten  o'clock  sharp,  sir.  Yes, 
I'll  fix  up  a  bit,  sir.  Oh,  thank  you,  sir.  Look  for  you?  Yes, 
sir.     Good-bye,  sir.     Good-bye,  sir — Good-bye! 

Sing — in — the — the-a-tur  !  Methuselar !  Me — Ginny  Mur- 
kins.  You  shall  hear,  Methuselar,  you  shall,  you  shall.  My !  but 
I'll  be  skart,  won't  I?  But  I'll  sing,  Methuselar.  What'll  Pike 
say  now,  what'll  he  say?  Methuselar,  you  shall  have  a  bouncin' 
bowl  of  milk  this  minit,  an'  Granny  Midders  shall  help  me  get  a 
gown.  Methuselar — think  of  it !  Sing  in  the  the-a-tur — the  the- 
a-tur — the  the-a-tur ! 

[Exit  laughing  and  crying.] 


PUSSY    CAT. 


PUSSY  CAT,  pussy  cat,  where  have  you  been? 
You  say :   "To  the  grand  matinee ;" 
'Twas  held  on  the  house-top,  away  down  the  street, 
And  ended  at  breaking  of  day. .  - .'. 


CATS  AMD   KITTENS. 
THE  HAPPY  FAMILY. 


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166  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

THREE  NAUGHTY  KITTENS. 


Isabel  Frances  Bellows. 


THERE  once  were  three  kittens  who  lived  on  a  farm, 
And  never  were  kittens  who  did  so  much  harm ; 
They  worried  the  chickens,  and  snarled  at  the  hen. 
And  scratched  at  the  pig  through  a  hole  in  the  pen; 
They  climbed  on  the  sty  and  hung  over  the  rail, 
And  bit  off  the  curl  from  a  little  pig's  tail. 

The  horses  they  scared,  and  they  frightened  the  cows, 
By  shrieking  out  at  them  with  dreadful  me-ows ; 
They  worried  the  ducks  and  they  bothered  the  geese, 
And  clawed  at  the  ram  till  he  lost  all  his  fleece ; 
They  frightened  the  bossy  calf  half  into  fits, 
And  spit  at  the  dog  till  he  half  lost  his  wits. 

The}-  knocked  down  the  turkey  and  rolled  him  about, 

They  rumpled  his  feathers,  and  pulled  them  all  out; 

Such  horrible  faces  they  made  at  the  drake, 

He  went  straight  and  drowned  himself  off  in  the  lake; 

They  fought  the  old  rooster  upon  his  own  hill, 

Till  all  that  was  left  were  his  spurs  and  his  bill. 

They  drank  up  the  milk  and  tipped  over  the  cream, 

And  gave  the  old  parrot  a  horrible  dream ; 

They  chewed  up  the  tab-strings  of  grandmother's  cap, 

While  she,  poor  old  lady,  was  taking  a  nap ; 

So  shocking  the  squealing  they  made  in  their  pride, 

The  children  all  ran,  and  the  baby  it  cried. 

They  played  with  the  meal  and  the  hominy  bags, 
And  tore  them  all  up  into  tatters  and  rags ; 
They  climbed  by  their  claws  up  the  farmer's  new  clothes, 
And  knocked  his  gold  spectacles  off  from  his  nose ; 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  167 

The  meat  in  the  pantry  they  stole  from  the  hooks, 

And  chewed  up  the  children's  nice  Sunday-school  books. 

These  kittens  left  nothing  at  all  to  itself, 

Save  only  the  mice  on  the  store-closet  shelf; 

The  farmer's  good  wife  bore  it  meekly  and  long, 

Though  telling  them  oft  they  were  naughty  and  wrong; 

She  argued  and  reasoned  by  day  and  by  night, 

But  nothing  could  make  them  behave  as  was  right. 

Her  patience,  one  morning,  was  wholly  worn  out, 
5o,  ere  they  discovered  what  she  was  about, 
She  clapped  them  all  three  in  a  covered  tin  pail, 
And  carried  them  straight  to  the  great  county  jail. 
And  there  they  have  kept  them  to  this  very  day, 
Locked  ud  in  a  cell  where  they  can't  get  away. 


"WHEN  THE  CAT'S  AWAY  THE  MICE  WILL  PLAY." 


Tableau. 


Mrs.  Mary  L.  Gaddess. 


YOUNG  girl  in  morning  dress,  seated  in  a  chair ;  sewing  on  the 
floor,  where  it  has  been  dropped.  A  youth  in  blouse  and 
lannel  trousers,  or  bicycle  suit,  kneels  at  her  feet.  She  has  her 
inger  on  her  lips,  and  laughingly  motions  the  youth  with  her 
land  to  keep  quiet,  as  someone  is  in  the  back  room.  Old  lady 
n  house  dress,  broom  in  hand,  enters,  stands  as  if  appalled,  then 
idvances  with  broom  up.  The  youth  sees  her,  and  jumps  up ; 
girl  looks  astonished,  while  old  lady  catches  each  by  the  ear  and 
dares  at  them.  The  girl  drops  a  curtsy  and  demurely  says : 
When  the  cat's  away  the  mice  will  play."  Lad  nods  head  as 
f  he  agrees,  while  curtain  falls. 


l«  CATS   AXD   KITTENS. 

A  CAT  LAW-SUIT. 


TWO  tabbies  on  a  summer  morn 
Were  gayly  walking, 
When,  lo !  a  boy  let  fall  a  cheese, 

While  busy  talking. 
Both  wandered  near,  as  though  in  play, 
And  slyly  rolled  that  cheese  away. 

They  rolled  it  fast,  they  rolled  it  far, 

Those  cunning  cats ; 
They  rolled  it  to  the  forest's  edge, 

By  dint  of  pats ; 
But  when  they  came  to  share,  you  see, 
These  foolish  cats  could  not  agree. 

Each  one,  mistrusting  much  the  other, 

Began  to  growl, 
And  made  so  loud  a  din  and  noise 

They   woke   an   owl. 
He  cried :     "Don't  fight,  but  let  us  tell 
Your  case  to  Lawyer  Judge-em-well." 

So  said,  so  done.     A  monkey  came, 

When  they  did  call, 
With  ink  and  pen,  and  scales  in  hand 

To  settle  all. 
"Are  you  the  folks  who  disagree? 
Give  here  the  cheese,  and  trust  to  mc." 

He  broke  the  mass,  dropped  either  half 

In  balance  fiat- 
One  lowest  plumped.     "Now,  see  how  law 

Will  altar  that." 
He  bit  a  huge  piece  off,  and  then 
They  saw  him  weigh  the  rest  again. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  jQg 

"Now,  this  side's  wrong."     Another  nibble 

Made  that  too  light. 
"Stop!"  cried  the  cats;  "Why,  at  the  rate 

At  which  you  bite, 
We  soon  shall  have  no  cheese  to  share. 
Surelv  that  is  not  dealing:  fair." 


'to 


"Justice  must  have  its  dues/'  cried  he, 

Still  biting; 
"You  should  have  shared  your  cheese  in  peace, 

Instead  of  fighting. 
The  two  sides  I  have  matched,  and  for  my  fee 
All  that  is  left  belongs  to  me." 


PUSSY'S  VOCAL  LESSON. 


MY  elocution  lesson  I  didn't  quite  enjoy ; 
You'd  scarcely  guess  the  reason,  'twas  a  little  teasing  boy. 
Wee  Rob,  my  naughty  nephew,  would  listen  to  it  all, 
And  mimic  in  a  manner  that  made  me  feel  quite  small, 

The  motions  and  the  gestures,  the  swayings  and  the  bounds, 

The  consonants  explosive,  the  open  vowel-sounds. 

And  then  he'd  tell  his  kitty,  in  jolly  boyish  play, 

Just  how  I  said  the  letters  "P,"  "T,"  "Z,"  "S,"  and  "K." 

One  morn  came  Uncle  Charlie,   with   Nero  by  his   side, 
A  big  Newfoundland  beauty,  our  uncle's  pet  and  pride. 
Toward  kitty  Nero  sauntered  with  stately  doggish  grace, 
She  spit  and  hissed  like  fury  right  in  his  friendly,  face. 

Astonished  and  disgusted,  no  word  did  NeTO'1say;  • >v 
Scorn  on  his  noble  features,  he  turned  and  walked  awayi 
And  Snowball  swelled  her  body,  with  all  her  feline  might, : 
Her  back  looked  like  a  camel's,  she  was  a  funny  sight. ' 


i;o  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

"You  spitfire,"  shouted  uncle,  "you  bristling  bunch  of  rage ! 
If  you  were  mine  I'd  whip  you  and  put  you  in  a  cage!" 
"My  kitty  is  no  spitfire"  (Rob's  eyes  with  mischief  glowed), 
"She  says  them  'splosive  letters  as  fast  as  she  can  "splode." 

"Oh,  now  I  see,"  laughed  uncle,  "please  pardon  me,  my  dear, 
'Twas  pussy's  vocal  lesson  I  happened  then  to  hear. 
You've  done  it  well,  brave  pussy"  (he  smoothed  her  ruffled  back), 
"Although  your  tones  are  faulty,  you've  learned  the  right  attack." 


THE  SEA-PUSS. 


Kate  Upson  Clark. 


[On  certain  portions  of  the  coast  the  white,  rushing  waves  which  precede 
a  storm  are  called  "sea-pussies."] 

THE  ocean-cats  flirted  their  fluffy  white  tails, 
And  flecked  with  salt  dewdrops  the  fisherman's  sails, 
And  the  noise  of  their  fighting  flew  over  the  foam, 
Till  the  mother,  leagues  off,  in  the  fisherman's  home, 
As  she  watched  o'er  her  little  ones,  cried:     "Listen!  how 
The  sea-puss  is  screeching!     Just  hear  her  me-ow!" 

When  the  ocean-cats  shake  their  fluffy  white  tails, 
The  fisherman  trembles  and  takes  in  his  sails, 
And  when  on  his  ear  strike  their  menacing  cries, 
Before  them  the  bravest  of  fishermen  flies ; 
And  he  says  to  his  children:     "I  came  home  just  now, 
For  the  sea-puss  was  angry — I  heard  her  me-ow !" 

So,  when  the  waves  whiten,  the  children's  hearts  quail, 

And,  "Mother,"  they  say,  "there's  a  sea-pussy's  tail!" 

For  they  know,  if  the  ocean-cats  sport  on  the  foam, 

Their  father  may  never  get  back  to  his  home ; 

And  a  cloud  darkens  even  the  baby's  bright  brow, 

tWhen  they  shout :     "There's  the  sea-puss  !  Just  hear  her  me-ow !" 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  &71 

PUSSY  AT  SCHOOL. 


Louis  B.  Tisdale. 


[For  a  little  child  sitting  in  a  chair  nursing  a  kitten.    Appropriate  actions 
ggest  themselves  in  the  verse.     "Do  mi,  sol,  do,"  should  be  sung.] 

NOW  pussy  come  and  play  at  school 
And  sit  up  very  straight, 
Just  listen  now — you'll  get  bad  marks, 
If  you  are  ever  late. 

So,  pussy,  say  your  ABC, 

Don't  make  a  face  like  that; 
You  know  quite  well,  I'm  sure  you  do, 

That  CAT  spells  "cat!" 

Come,  let  me  see  you  write  your  name, 

Just  hold  the  pencil  so, 
Don't  say  "Mieow,  mieow,  mieow," 

That's  not  your  name,  you  know. 

I  think  I'd  like  to  hear  you  sing, 

'Twill  give  me  great  delight ; 
What's  that  you  say?    "You  only  sing 

Upon  the  tiles  at  night?" 

Well,  never  mind,  just  do  your  best 
And  sing  this  after  me; 
"Do,  mi,  sol,  do,"  that's  right,  and  now 
You'll  have  some  milk  for  tea. 

I'm  very  pleased  indeed  with  you, 

You've  been  so  good  to-day; 
And  school  is  over,  so  dear  puss, 

kYou  now  can  go  and  play. 


172  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

MOTHER  GRAY  AND  HER  CHILDREN. 

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THE  WAY  YOU  LOOK  AT  IT. 


AMOUSIE  begged,  "Oh,  mother,  please, 
The  moon,  they  say,  is  made  of  cheese; 
Let's  go  there — yon  and  I.    The  man 
Conld  never  catch  us  if  we  ran." 


"Dear,"  said  the  parent,  "I've  a  mind 
To  buy  you  specs — you  seem  so  blind. 
Had  you  the  sight  of  any  .bat 
You'd  see  that  man  is  just  a  cat." 


174  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

PET  AND  HER  CAT. 


NOW,   Pussy,   I've  something  to  tell  you, 
You  know  it  is  New  Year's  day, 
The  big-  folks  are  down  in  the  parlor, 
And  mamma  is  just  gone  away. 

We  are  all  alone  in  the  nursery, 
And  I  want  to  talk  to  you,  dear, 

So  you  must  come  and  sit  by  me, 
And  make  believe  you  hear. 

You  see  there's  a  new  year  coming, 

It  only  begins  to-day, 
Do  you  know  I  was  often  naughty 

In  the  year  that  is  gone  away? 

You  know  I  have  some  bad  habits ; 

I'll  mention  just  one  or  two, 
But  there  really  is  quite  a  number 

Of  naughty  things  that  I  do. 

You  see,  I  don't  learn  my  lessons, 

And,  oh !  I  do  hate  them  so, 
I  doubt  if  I  know  any  more  to-day 

Than  I  did  a  year  ago. 

Perhaps  I'm  awfully  stupid, 

They  say  I'm  a  dreadful  dunce. 
How  would  you  like  to  learn  spelling? 

I  wish  you  would  try  it  once. 

And  don't  you  remember  Christmas — 
'Twas  naughty,  I  must  confess — 

But  while  I  was  eating  my  dinner 
I  got  two  spots  on  my  dress. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  175 

And  they  caught  me  stealing  the  sugar, 

But  I  only  got  two  little  bits, 
When  they  found  me  there  in  the  closet, 

And  frightened  me  out  of  my  wits. 

And,  Pussy,  when  people  scold  me, 

I'm  always  so  sulky  then, 
If  they  only  would  tell  me  gently, 

I  never  would  do  it  again. 

0  Pussy !  I  know  I  am  naughty, 
And  often  it  makes  me  cry, 

1  think  it  would  count  for  something, 
If  they  knew  how  hard  I  try. 

But  I'll  try  again  in  the  New  Year, 

And,  oh !  I  shall  be  so  glad 
If  I  only  can  be  a  good  little  girl 

And  never  do  anything  bad ! 


WHAT  BECAME  OF  THE  KITTEN? 


AUNTY. — What  became  of  the  kitten  you  had  when  I  was 
here  before? 
Niece  [in  surprise].     Why,  don't  you  know? 
Aunty. — I  haven't  heard  a  word.     Was  she  poisoned? 
Niece. — No'm. 
Aunty. — Drowned  ? 
Niece. — Oh,  no. 
Aunty. — Stolen  ? 
Niece. — No,  indeed. 
Aunty. — Hurt  in  any  way? 
Niece. — No'm. 

Aunty. — Well,  I  can't  guess.     What  became  of  her? 
Niece. — She  growed  into  a  cat. 


176  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

THE  OUTING. 


Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


NOW,  a  stylish  young  cat  and  a  little  white  pig, 
And  a  duck  who  was  black,  and  a  goat  who  was  big, 
Were  all  playing  around  in  some  newly  mown  hay, 
When  they  paused  in  their  sport  as  the  duck  she  did  say : 

"Come  away  to  the  woods  for  a  nice  sunny  walk. 
There's  a  stream  on  whose  banks  we  can  rest  as  we  talk, 
For  the  day  is  so  fine,  'tis  a  shame  if  we  stay, 
So  we'll  hurry  and  dress,  then  away,  all  away." 

Now,  the  cat  was  so  pleased  that  she  bowed  and  she  smiled, 
While  the  piggie  he  squealed  till  he  nearly  went  wild. 
As  for  Billy,  he  did — why,  a  stunt  that  was  fine, 
For  he  stood  on  his  head  with  his  heels  up  behind. 

They  were  proud  and  the  pains  they  all  took  so  each  rig 
"It  would  suit  the  complexion,"  remarked  the  white  pig ; 
And  his  hat  it  was  pink,  like  the  bow  on  his  tail, 
And  he  marched  with  the  cat  'cause  she  wore  a  blue  veil. 

Now,  gray  Billy,  the  goat,  wore  a  beard  nearly  white, 
And  a  new  linen  duster  a  trifle  too  tight ; 
While  a  string  with  a  bell  on  his  neck  he  did  twine, 
As  he  said,  "Now,  my  suit  it  is  stunning  and  fine." 

As  the  duck  was  determined  to  dazzle  them  all, 
She  selected  a  gown  that  was  fit  for  a  ball ; 
Then  she  simpered  and  waddled  in  her  silly  way 
Till  the  rest  were  disgusted,  tho'  tried  to  look  gay. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  177 

When  the  eat,  with  her  paw  on  the  pig,  came  the  first, 
Why,  the  duck  (who  was  jealous)  with  envy  near  burst, 
Still  she  walked  with  the  goat,  and  they  looked  very  trim, 
And  the  calf,  how  he  laughed,  as  they  nodded  at  him. 

When  they  reached  the  cool  stream  they  sat  down  for  a  treat, 
And  the  goodies  they  brought,  they  were  hungry  to  eat ; 
And  the  cat  was  so  dainty,  the  pig  was  so  clean, 
While  the  goat  was  polite,  but  the  duck,  she  was  mean. 

For  she  gobbled  the  cake,  and  the  berries  so  red ; 
Till  they  saw  at  a  glance,  she  was  very  ill  bred ; 
Then  she  told  how  she  loved  on  the  water  to  float, 
And  she  blinked  and  she  winked  at  the  poor  Billy-goat, 

Who  then  told  the  white  pig,  how  a  pain  in  his  back 
Came  from  stooping  to  hear  all  the  duck's  foolish  quack; 
While  Miss  Pussy  she  charmed  with  her  sweet,  modest  air 
As  she  wore  the  pink  bow  of  the  pig  in  her  hair. 

When  they  finished  their  lunch  then  all  danced  'neath  the  trees 
And  the  duck  at  the  last,  I  will  say,  tried  to  please ; 
For  she  found  a  mistake  in  her  greed  she  had  made, 
WThen  her  friends  told  her  how  she  at  home  had  best  stayed. 

When  the  stars  were  a-twinkling  o'er  each  bright  little  head, 
"Why,  it's  time,"  said  the  cat,  "we  were  home  and  in  bed." 
And  the  pig,  to  be  friends  with  the  duck,  he  walked  back, 
While  the  goat  led  the  way,  with  the  nice  pussy-cat. 


Ques. — What  is  the  difference  between  a  cat  and  a  comma? 
Ans. — A  cat  has  its  claws  at  the  end  of  its  paws ;  a  comma  its 
pause  at  the  end  of  a  clause. 


178  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 


KITTEN  THAT  NEVER  GREW  OLD. 


THERE  once  was  a  kitten  who  wished  that  he 
Might  never  grow  older,  for  "Don't  you  see," 
Said  Pussy,  "I'm  told 
That  when  a  cat's  old 
He  curls  himself  up  on  the  hearth  to  sleep !" 
Why,  just  the  mere  thought  made  this  Pussy-cat  weep, 
"Meow — ow — ow — ow, 
Meow — ow — ow — ow !" 

And  so,  as  he  lay  in  his  snug  little  bed, 

He  thought  of  the  kittens'  good  fairy,  and  said, 

In  a  kittenish  way — 

Or  a  purr,  I  should  say — 
"Oh,  fairy,  dear  fairy,  just  as  I  am  now 
I  wish  to  be  always,  meow !  meow !" 

Now,  wasn't  it  queer ! 

The  fairy  was  near, 
And  then  and  there  took  Mr.  Puss  at  his  word. 
And  said  to  him,  "Pussy"  (or  so  I  have  heard), 
"With  play  you  are  smitten! 

Be  always  a  kitten!" 

And  so  ever  after,  by  night  and  by  day, 
That  poor  little  kitten  did  nothing  but  play. 

Just  ask  him  for  me, 

Should  ever  you  see 
A  playful  old  cat  of  diminutive  size, 
Whose  friends  have  grown  older  and  ever  so  wise, 

If  being  the  only 

Puss  left  isn't  lonely? 
He'll  tell  you  that  fairies  should  never  allow 
A  cat  to  be  always  a  kitten,  meow! 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  179 

KITTENS'  DANCING  LESSON. 


Stanley  Schell^ 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


NOW  kitties,  dear,  come,  form  a  square, 
Right  in  the  center  of  the  room ; 
No,  girlies  here,  and  bubbies  there, 
Now,  all  face  so  and  smile  and  bow. 

[Play  music  of  Lancers  from  now  on  with  variations.] 

First,  Tom  and  Nell  and  Will  and  Min, 
Dance  forward  and  then  back  again; 
Next  go  Fred,  Ned,  Tootsy  and  Jane, 
With  Hey  diddle-diddle  and  riddle-cum-ree ! 

All  forward  and  then  back ;  next  ladies'  chain ; 

Up  the  middle  and  back  again. 

My  dearest  kitties,  won't  you  try, 

The  Hey  diddle-diddle  and  riddle-cum-ree? 

Balance  to  corners,  all  now  bow, 

Join  arms  and  try  a  promenade. 

For  all  who  dance,  as  you  can  see, 

Must  Hey  diddle-diddle  and  riddle-cum-ree! 

Swing  the  next  lady  fast  and  low, 
Now  in  a  circle  all  must  go ; 
Take  partners  all,  all  skip  away, 
For  kitties'  dance  is  o'er  to-day. 

With  Hey  diddle-diddle  and  riddle-cum-ray ! 


"I  don't  like  that  cat;  it's  got  splinters  in  its  feet!"  was  the 
excuse  of  a  four-year-old  for  throwing  the  kitten  away. 


i8o  CATS   AND   KIT  TUNS. 


THE  SOCIAL  TEA. 


Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


N 


OW,  a  bundle  of  fun 

With  the  sweetest  of  eyes, 
Was  Miss  Kitty  McGec, 

Who  had  won  the  first  prize 
At  a  big  country  fair.. 

Where  were  kittens  galore, 
Who  her  rivals  had  been, 

And  she  made  them  heart  sore 


For  the  laurels,  they  had, 

Why,  they  could  not  compare 
With  the  prize  this  dear  pet 

Wore  with  pride  from  the  fair. 
And  the  judges  all  said, 

When  they  saw  her  sweet  way, 
She  eclipsed  all  the  cats 

Thev  had  met  the  whole  day. 


And  she  mused  as  she  blinked. 

When  she  rode  thro'  the  town, 
"There  were  few  like  herself, 

Who  had  gained  such  renown." 
And  to  show  she  .was  kind, 
As  a  kitten  should  be, 
She  planned  to  invite 

Her  three  cousins  to  tea. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  181 

When  Miss  Kitty  awoke 

From  her  dreams  the  next  clay, 
And  her  toilet  was  made 
In  her  own  dainty  way, 

Why,  she  drank  all  the  milk 
In  her  pretty  new  dish, 

And  she  ate  some  nice  bits 

Till  no  more  she  could  niche. 

With  a  snuff  of  the  air, 

All  so  sweet  and  so  clear, 

Off  she  scampered  to  write 

To  her  cousins  most  dear ; 

And  the  notes  she  perfumed 
With  a  dash  of  catnip 
And  invited  them  all 

To  her  home  for  a  sip 

Of  the  nicest  of  tea, 

With  a  wafer  or  two, 

And  she  tied  all  the  notes 

With  pink  ribbons  and  blue ; 
And  a  special  dispatch 

They  all  sent  right  away 

And  it  said  "they  would  come 

To  her  house  that  same  day." 

There  was  Queenie,  so  white, 
With  a  sweet,  dainty  air, 

And  her  brother  Sir  Tom, 
With  a  dignity  rare ; 

And  dear  little  Snip, 

Who  was  cute  as  could  be. 
And  a  prettier  sight, 

Why,  you  seldom  do  see. 


182  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

Now,  Miss  Kitty,  she  served 
At  the  table  with  ease, 

And  she  tried,  oh,  so  hard, 

All  her  guests  for  to  please ; 

And  they  drank  to  the  health 
Of  their  hostess,  with  tea, 

And  they  said  "she  was  good 
And  as  sweet  as  could  be." 

And  they  hoped  she  would  care 
All  their  love  to  retain, 

For  they  wished,  very  soon, 
To  be  with  her  again ; 

And  they  shook  her  soft  paw, 
Said  the  judges  were  right, 

"You  are  worthy  the  prize," 

Then  they  bade  her  good  night. 


MATTHEW  ARNOLD'S  CAT  ATOSSA. 


Elegy  on  a  Canary. 


THOU  hast  seen  Atossa  sage 
Sit  for  hours  beside  thy  cage ; 
Thou  wouldst  chirp,  thou  foolish  bird, 
Flutter,  chirp — she  never  stirred! 
What  were  now  these  toys  to  her? 
Down  she  sank  amid  her  fur — 
Eyed  thee  with  a  soul  resigned; — 
And  thou  deemedst  cats  were  kind ! 

Cruel,  but  composed  and  bland, 

Dumb,  inscrutable,  and  grand ; 

So  Tiberius  might  have  sat, 

Had  Tiberius  been  a  cat. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  183 

GIRL,  CAT  AND  CUSTARD. 


DEAR  Pussy,  I  love  you,  an'  Fs  your  true  friend, 
'Cause  I  saved  you  a  whippin'  to-day, 
When  cook  missed  her  custard,  an'  every  one  said 

It  was  puss  that  had  stealed  it  away. 
You  know  you  are  naughty  sometimes,  Pussy,  dear, 

So  in  course  you  got  blamed,  an' — all  that ! 
An'  cook  took  a  stick,  an'  she  'clared  she  would  beat 

The  thief -out  that  mizzable  cat! 
But  I — didn't  feel  comfor'ble  down  in  my  heart, 

So  I  saved  you  the  whippin',  you  see, 
'Cause  I  went  to  mamma,  an'  telled  her  I  'spect 

She'd  better  tell  cook  to  whip  me. 

'Cause  the  custard  was  stealed  by  a  bad  little  girl 

Who  felt  dreffely  sorry  with  shame, 
An'  it  wouldn't  be  fair  to  whip  Pussy,  in  course, 

When  that  bad  little  girl  was  to  blame ! 
"Was  it  my  little  girlie?"  my  dear  mamma  said, 

I  felt  dreffely  scared,  but  I  nodded  my  head, 
An'  then  mamma  laughed.    "Go  find  nurse,  for  I  guess 

There's  some  custard  to  wash  off  a  little  girl's  dress." 
Well,  then,  'course  they  knew 

It  was  I,  an'  not  you, 
Who  stealed  all  the  custard  an'  then  ran  away. 

But  it's  best  to  be  true 
In  the  things  that  we  do, 

An' — that's  how  I  saved  you  a  spankin'  to-day. 


Ques. — Why  does  a  Maltese  cat  rest  better  in  summer  than  in 
winter  ? 

Ans. — Because  summer  brings  a  caterpillar  (cat-a-pillow). 


i84  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 


THE  AUDACIOUS  KITTEN 


Oliver  Herford. 


HURRAH!"  cried  the  kitten,  "hurrah!" 
As  he  merrily  set  the  sails  ; 
"I  sail  o'er  the  ocean  to-day, 

To  look  at  the  Prince  of  Wales !" 

"O  kitten!  O  kitten!"  I  cried, 

"Why  tempt  the  angry  gales  ?" 
"I'm  going,"  the  kitten  replied, 

"To  look  at  the  Prince  of  Wales !" 

"I  know  what  it  is  to  get  wet, 
I've  tumbled  full  oft  in  pails, 
And  nearly  been  drowned- — and  yet 
I  must  look  at  the  Prince  of  Wales !" 

"O  kitten !"  I  cried,  "the  Deep 
Is  deeper  than  many  pails !" 
Said  the  kitten,  "I  shall  not  sleep 

Till  I've  looked  at  the  Prince  of  Wales!" 

"O  kitten !  pause  at  the  brink, 

And  think  of  the  sea-sad  tales." 

"Ah,  yes,"  said  the  kitten,  "but  think, 
Oh,  think  of  the  Prince  of  Wales !" 

"But,  kitten,"  I  cried,  dismayed, 

"If  you  live  through  the  angry  gales, 
You  know  you  will  be  afraid 
To  look  at  the  Prince  of  Wales." 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  185 

Said  the  kitten,  "No  such  thing! 

Why  should  he  make  me  wince  ? 
If  'a  cat  may  look  at  a  king,' 

A  kitten  may  look  at  a  prince." 


CAT-LIFE. 


Luc/  Larcom. 


DOZING,  and  dozing,  and  dozing! 
Pleasant  enough, 
Dreaming  of  sweet  cream  and  mouse-meat,- 
Delicate  stuff! 

Of  raids  on  the  pantry  and  hen-coop, 

Or  light,  stealthy  tread 
Of  cat-gossips,  meeting  by  moolight 

On  a  ridge-pole  or  shed. 

Waked  by  a  somerset,  whirling 

From  cushion  to  floor  ; 
Waked  to  a  wild  rush  for  safety 

From  window  to  door. 

Waking  to  hands  that  first  smooth  us, 

And  then  pull  our  tails ; 
Punished  with  slaps  when  we  show  them 

The  length  of  our  nails ! 

These. big  mortal  tyrants  even  grudge  us 

A  place  on  the  mat. 
Do  they  think  we  enjoy  for  our  music 

Staccatoes  of  "scat?" 


i86  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

What  in  the  world  were  we  made  for? 

Man,  do  you  know? 
By  you  to  be  petted,  tormented? — 

Are  you  friend  or  foe? 

To  be  treated,  now,  just  as  you  treat  us, — 

The  question  is  pat, — 
To  take  just  our  chances  of  living, 

Would  you  be  a  cat? 


THE  LANGUAGE  OF  CATS. 


[Dialogue  for  four  small  girls.    Each  may  have  a  cat,  excepting  the  last. 
All  stand  on  line,  facing  audience.] 

Jeanne.  Jl  /f  Y  cat  speaks  French,  dear  little  friends, 
I  V  1      As  plainly  as  can  be  ; 
Says  "s'il  vous  plait"    (that's  if  you  please), 

And  thanks  me  with  "merci !" 
I  know  because  I  understand 

Each  word  she  says  to  me. 

Lisa.        And  mine  speaks  German,  dearest  friends, 

And  we  live  on  the  Rhine ; 
Says  "bitte"  when  she  wants  a  drink, 

And  "ja,"  of  course,  and  "nein" ; 
I  wouldn't  have  a  cat  that  spoke 

A  different  tongue  from  mine. 

Norah.   That's  foine  fer  yecs,  you  French  and  Dutch, 

With  faces  so  demure ; 
Me  cat  sphakes  Oirish ;  whin  I  set 

A  saucer  on  the  flure, 
An'  ax  her  would  she  have  some  milk, 

Me  darlint  tells  me  shure. 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  187 


Lily.  You  may  talk  about  your  kittens, 
May  think  they  talk  like  you, 

I've  listened  well  to  all  they  said — 
And  know  that  this  is  true ; 

Cats  speak  in  English,  every  time, 
And  all  they  say  is  "Miaow." 


HOW  PUSSY  BATHES. 


AS  Pussy  sat  washing  her  face  by  the  gate, 
A  nice  little  dog  came  to  have  a  good  chat; 
And  after  some  talk  about  matters  of  state, 

Said,  with  a  low  bow,  "My  dear  Mrs.  Cat, 
I  really  do  hope  you'll  not  think  I  am  rude ; 

I  am  curious,  I  know,  and  that  you  may  say — 
Perhaps  you'll  be  angry — but,  no,  you're  too  good — 
Pray,  why  do  you  wash  in  that  very  odd  way  ? 

"Now,  I,  every  day^  rush  away  to  the  lake, 

And  in  the  clear  water  I  dive  and  I  swim ; 
I  dry  my  wet  fur  with  a  run  and  a  shake, 

And  am  fresh  as  a  rose  and  neat  as  a  pin. 
But  you  any  day  in  the  sun  may  be  seen, 

Just  rubbing  yourself  with  your  red  little  tongue ; 
I  admire  the  grace  with  which  it  is  done — 

But,  really,  now,  are  you  sure  you  get  yourself  clean?" 

And  Pussy  sat  swelling  with  rage  and  surprise, 

At  this  from  her  nice  little  doggie  friend, 
For  she  had  always  supposed  herself  rather  precise, 

And  of  her  sleek  neatness  had  bragged  without  end ; 
So  she  flew  at  that  doggie  and  boxed  both  his  ears, 
Scratched  his  nose  and  his  eyes,  and  spit  in  his  face, 

And  set  him  off  yelping  from  pain  and  disgrace. 


188  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


CAT  AND  PAINTER. 


Eleanor  H.  Porter. 


C<  A  /IE-OW-W!" 

i  V  1  It  was  a  plaintive  wail  that  came  from  behind  the  ash 
barrel  in  the  alley-way. 

It  had  been  so  delightful  to  scurry  out  the  hall-door  when  Miss 
Dorothy  was  not  looking — out  into  the  bright  sunshine,  where  the 
red  and  yellow  leaves  were  chasing  each  other  down  the  smooth 
walk  in  front  of  the  house. 

Then  there  came  a  time  when  the  sunshine  fled  and  the  leaves 
lay  quiet,  refusing  to  play,  even  when  she  poked  them  with  her  lit- 
tle insistent  paw.  She  had  run  far  down  the  street,  and  everything 
was  new  and  strange  to  her.  A  big  dog  bounced  around  the  cor- 
ner, and  she  was  obliged  to  scramble  up  a  tree. 

She  had  but  just  accomplished  her  fearsome  descent  when  a 
group  of  boys  hailed  her  appearance  with  yells  of  delight.  Then 
to  her  tail — her  beautiful  fluffy  tail — they  tied  a  cruel  cord  with  a 
jangling  tin  can  at  the  end.  Down  the  street  she  wildly  fled, 
around  corners,  through  back  alleys,  followed  always  by  that  deaf- 
ening rattle  dangling  at  the  tip  of  her  tail. 

The  shouts  of  the  boys  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  and  finally^ 
ceased  altogether.  It  was  then  that  she  stopped,  and  tugged  and 
bit  at  the  knotted  cord  until  at  last  she  could  switch  her  tail  from 
side  to  side — free  from  its  hated  burden. 

"Me-ow-w !" 

"Whew !  little  cat,  is  it  so  bad  as  all  that?" 

He  was  tall,  wore  a  soft  black  hat,  and  carried  a  cane,  which 
he  playfully  twirled  over  the  kitten's  head  as  he  spoke. 

The  kitten's  tail  came  upright  instantly,  waving  an  appreciative 
welcome  to  the  kindly  tones. 

Two  blocks  down  the  street,  the  man  ran  up  the  steps  of  a 
house.     His  latch-key  was  in  his  hand  before  he  spied  the  kitten. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  189 

She  had  sprung  lightly  to  the  topmost  step  and  was  now  facing 
him. 

"Why — pussy!" 

"Meow!" 

Mechanically  the  man  obeyed  the  obvious  command,  unlocked 
the  door,  and  pushed  it  open.  The  kitten  was  inside  the  hall  with 
a  bound. 

"Oh,  what  a  beauty,  Mr.  Heywood!  Where  did  you  get  it?" 
asked  the  landlady. 

"That's  just  the  trouble,  Mrs.  Merriam ;  I  didn't  get  it  at  all — 
it  came !" 

"Came  to  you?  How  perfectly  lovely!  The  very  best  sign  of 
good  luck  that  you  could  possibly  have!  There's  not  a  bit  of 
doubt  now,  Mr.  Heywood — your  picture  will  be  a  certain  success." 

"But  what  am  I  going  to  do  with  it?"  asked  Heywood. 

"Do  with  it?     Why,  you're  going  to  keep  it." 

The  kitten  had  arrived  with  a  bedraggled  ribbon  of  what  had 
once  been  lustrous  white  satin  around  her  neck.  This  forlorn  bit 
of  finery  Heywood  at  once  consigned  to  the  wastebasket,  substi- 
tuting a  band  of  blue  cut  from  a  roll  of  ribbon,  after  scrutiny  of 
his  guest's  eyes  to  obtain  just  the  proper  shade ;  but  the  roll  of 
ribbon  soon  began  to  show  signs  of  a  rapid  disappearance,  so  fre- 
quently was  the  necklet  renewed.  This  was  owing  to  the  fact  that 
the  kitten's  usual  companions,  during  her  waking  hours,  were 
Heywood's  tubes  of  paints. 

The  first  time  she  had  jumped  upon  his  low  stand  and  poked 
her  inquisitive  nose  into  his  paint-box,  he  had  looked  on  in  dumb 
dismay.  A  skirmish,  a  sweep  of  a  yellow  paw — and  a  tube  of 
Rose  Madder  leaped  from  the  box  and  scurried  across  the  floor 
with  the  kitten  in  full  pursuit. 

It  was  then  that  Heywood  had  caught  up  his  crayon  and  drawn 
hurried  lines  on  the  canvas  before  him ;  and  it  was  that  rough 
sketch  that  became  the  first  study  for  his  famous  picture  "The 
Kittens'  Playground." 

After  that  he  used  every  device  in  his  power  to  interest  the  kit- 
ten in  that  paint-box. 


190  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

From  the  very  first  the  little  stranger  had  not  lacked  for  a  name. 
She  was  always  referred  to  as  "Her  Majesty,"  and  right  royally 
she  ruled  the  household.  It  was  two  weeks  before  Her  Majesty's 
new  surroundings  palled  upon  her  and  she  longed  for  other 
worlds  to  conquer.  Coincident  with  this  longing  came  the  open 
back-yard  gate.  A  wild  scamper,  and  she  was  free — out  in  the 
wide,  wide  world !  Through  the  alley  and  across  the  lot  another 
open  gate  tempted  her.  Up  the  steps,  through  the  kitchen  door 
and  on  into  the  dining-room  pattered  the  little  yellow  feet. 

"Why,  Queenie! — you  darling!"  and  she  was  in  Miss  Doro- 
thy's arms. 

"Where  have  you  been?  You  little  dear — you're  as  plump  as  a 
partridge,  anyway !  Some  one  has  appreciated  you.  But  they've 
taken  off  your  pretty  white  ribbon  and  put  on  a  horrid  blue  one. 
We'll  go  and  change  it,  sweetheart.     I  never  did  like  blue!" 

Meanwhile  on  the  other  side  of  the  square  consternation 
reigned. 

"Where's  Her  Majesty?" 

"I  don't  know,  but  I'll  hunt  her  up,"  responded  Mrs.  Merriam. 

Perhaps  the  kitten  missed  her  box  of  pigment  playthings,  or 
perhaps  she  "longed  for  the  masculine  homage  she  did  not  find  at 
home ;  at  any  rate,  three  days  later,  when  she  heard  a  familiar 
call  from  across  the  open  lot,  she  slipped  through  the  back-yard 
gate,  and  hurried  in  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Merriam's  voice. 

"I've  got  her,"  she  announced  breathlessly,  "but  I  guess  she's 
found  her  home,  Mr.  Heywood.  I  don't  know's  we  ought  to  keep 
her — you  she  her  ribbon's  changed." 

"Yes,  I  see  it  is.  But  that's  easily  remedied.  I  shan't  paint 
her  in  a  white  one." 

"But — shall  we  keep  her?"  asked  Mrs.  Merriam  timidly. 

"We'll  try  to — until  the  picture  is  done,  anyway." 
When  the  kitten  had  first  come  to  the  house,  Heywood  had  been 
engaged  upon  an  elaborate  landscape,  which  he  had  intended  to 
finish  and  present  to  the  judges  of  a  forthcoming  Art  Exhibition. 
But  since  the  first  study  of  "Her  Majesty,"  his  interest  in  the 
landscape  had  waned.     Abandoning  his  original  plan,  he  was  now 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  191 

hard  at  work  on  "The  Kittens'  Playground,"  determined  to  ex- 
hibit that  or  nothing.  For  a  week  Her  Majesty  was  closely 
guarded  and  the  picture  grew  apace ;  then  one  day  she  disap- 
peared.    High  and  low  they  searched,  but  all  in  vain. 

Across  the  square  Miss  Dorothy  was  tenderly  caressing  an  ani- 
mated ball  of  yellow  fur. 

"Queenie,  Queenie,  what  does  this  mean?  What  am  I  to  fhir'- 
when  you  run  away  from  me  so  ?  Who  are  your  new  friends  that 
insist  on  tying  on  these  odious  blue  ribbons  around  your  neck? 
Here,  just  let  me  take  off  the  horrid  thing  and — why,  what  is 
this!"  she  exclaimed,  interrupting  herself  in  amazement  as  a  tiny 
crumpled  paper  dropped  into  her  hand. 

"Kindly  leave  the  blue  ribbon  on.  I  like  it  better — it's  more 
artistic,"  she  read. 

"Well,  really — impertinent  creature !"  Then  she  laughed, 
caught  up  a  pencil,  and  wrote  on  the  back  of  the  paper : 

"So  sorry,  but  I  prefer  white!" 

When  the  small  yellow  cat  and  the  big  white  bow  appeared  be- 
fore Heywood  that  night,  he  laughed  outright.  With  careful 
fingers  he  undid  the  knot,  and  then  he  laughed  again. 

"As  I  expected — graceful,  in  spite  of  disadvantages." 

When  the  blue  again  adorned  the  kitten's  neck,  it  bore  with  it 
this  message : 

"I  regret  to  be  obliged  a  second  time  to  call  your  attention  to 
the  fact  that  blue  is  the  only  possible  ribbon  for  this  cat.  Look 
at  her  eyes !" 

The  picture  was  nearly  done  now.  Her  Majesty  came  and 
went  much  at  her  own  sweet  will,  and  it  was  not  two  days  before 
another  huge  white  bow  appeared  on  her  neck  to  mock  Heywood's 
gaze.  His  fingers  shook  a  little  as  he  untied  the  knot  and  freed 
the  tiny  crumpled  paper. 

"I  regret  to  be  obliged  a  second  time  to  call  your  attention  to 
the  fact  that  I  prefer  white.     Look  at  her — whiskers !"  he  read. 

The  time  of  the  Exhibition  arrived  and  Heywood  had  thoughts 
for  but  one  thing.  At  last  his  picture  was  hung,  and  so  attractive 
did  it  prove  to  be  that  it  bid  fair  to  realize  his  dearest  hopes. 


192  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

It  represented  the  interior  of  an  artist's  studio.  The  whole 
was  but  the  setting-  for  four  yellow  kittens — the  cleverest,  most 
fascinating  yellow  kittens  in  the  world,  peeping  from  behind  cur- 
tains, tumbling  among  rugs,  rolling  over  tubes  of  paint — life-like, 
bewitching,  and  altogether  perfection. 

It  was  on  the  third  day  of  the  Exhibition  that  a  tall  girl  in 
drooping  feathers  and  rich  furs  stopped  before  the  picture  with  an 
exclamation  of  delight. 

"It's  Oueenie ! — why,  it's  Oueenie  to  the  very  life!"  "C.  R. 
Heywood.  Not  for  sale,"  she  read  disappointingly  from  her  cat- 
alogue ;  then  she  sought  the  manager. 

"  'This  Kittens'  Playground' — it  is  not  for  sale,"  she  asked. 

"No,  madam." 

"But  the  artist,  Heywood — does  he  live  in  the  city?  Can  you 
give  me  his  address  ?" 

"Thirty-four  Union  Avenue,  madam,"  replied  the  man,  con- 
sulting his  book. 

Dorothy  Marsh  was  not  a  young  woman  who  dallied.  Once 
determined  on  a  course,  action  quickly  followed.  Her  mother, 
always  gentle  and  pleasantly  acquiescent,  was  hurried  into  the  car- 
riage and  the  order,  "Thirty-four  Union  Avenue,"  given  to  the 
coachman. 

Upon  their  arrival  at  the  house,  the  two  ladies  were  shown 
into  the  studio,  and  in  a  moment  Heywood  appeared. 

The  girl  was  in  the  middle  of  the  floor,  turning  round  and 
round  in  amazement. 

"Why,  they're  all  Oueenies,  every  one  of  them!"  she  exclaimed. 

The  man  bowed,  and  a  peculiar  smile  flickered  across  his 
face. 

"They  are,  indeed,  all — 'Her  Majesty's.'  " 

He  had  not  time  to  say  more,  for  at  the  first  tones  of  the  girl's 
voice,  there  was  the  crash  of  a  falling  vase  and  the  scampering  of 
little  feet  from  an  inner  room.  Then  with  a  spring  and  a  bound 
a  small  yellow  kitten  landed  in  Miss  Dorothy's  outstretched  arms. 

There  was  a  moment's  awkward  silence.  Mrs.  Marsh  uncon- 
sciously came  to  the  rescue. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  193 

"Why,  it  is  our  kitten,  isn't  it?  This  must  be  where  she  goes 
so  often,  daughter." 

The  color  deepened  in  the  girl's  cheeks  and  she  threw  a  quick 
glance  at  Heywood. 

"It  evidently  is,  mother,"  she  laughed. 

Mrs.  Marsh  turned  to  the  artist. 

"My  daughter  has  taken  a  great  fancy  to  your  kitten  picture 
at  the  Exhibition,  Mr.  Heywood.  We — er — I  see  that  the  cata- 
logue states  that  it  is  not  for  sale." 

"Indeed,  madam,  it  zvas  my  intention  to  keep  the  picture,"  he 
began,  speaking  to  the  mother,  though  looking  at  the  daughter, 
"but — " — the  kitten  jumped  from  the  girl's  arms  to  the  floor  and 
began  playing  with  a  tube  of  paint — "Well,  there  are  circum- 
stances," he  continued,  then  paused  again. 

"Yes,  there  are  circumstances,"  repeated  the  girl  softly,  her 
eyes  on  the  kitten. 

"Yes,  circumstances  which — which  alter  determinations,"  he 
suddenly  concluded,  following  her  gaze  with  his  eyes. 

Dorothy  was  strangely  silent  through  the  rest  of  the  inter- 
view. 

It  was  when  the  ladies  were  leaving  that  the  artist  placed 
Her  Majesty  into  Dorothy's  arms.  His  hand  rested  in  a  momen- 
tary caress  on  the  round  yellow  head,  then  his  fingers  just  touched 
the  white  bow  at  the  neck. 

"The  ribbon  in  the  picture,  Miss  Marsh,"  he  began,  closely 
studying  the  girl's  face,  "shall  I  change  it  to — er — white" 

"Thank  you,  no.  I — I  prefer  the  blue,"  she  answered,  with  a 
sudden  flash  from  her  eyes  and  a  dazzling  smile. 

Her  Majesty  is  older  now.  She  is  plump,  sleek,  and  of  stately 
dignity,  and  her  eyes — -once  turquoise — gleam  with  shifting  amber 
lights.  Her  present  realm  is  a  certain  mansion.  Incidentally, 
it  is  also  the  home  of  the  artist,  Heywood,  and  of  his  wife,  Dor- 
othy. 


Ques. — When  is  a  tea-pot  like  a  kitten? 
Ans.— When  you're  teasin'  it  (tea's  in  it). 


194  CATS  AND   KITTENS.. 

DIRTY  KITTY-CAT. 


Stanley  Schell. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


YOU  surely  have  heard  of  the  bad  kitty-cat, 
A  source  of  great  grief  to  her  mother, 
I'm  sorry  to  say  if  you  search  round  about, 

You'll  doubtless  find  many  another. 
She  did  love  dirt,  and  she  did  not  love  soap, 

And  she  certainly  hated  a  tubbing, 
And  her  mother  declared  if  she  did  not  keep  clean, 
;   She'd  give  her  a  thorough  good  scrubbing. 

She  won't  be  happy  when  she  gets  it, 

No,  she  won't  be  happy  when  she  gets  it, 

Now,  just  take  my  word, 

'Tis  the  truth  you  have  heard, 

She  won't  be  happy  when  she  gets  it. 

Kitty  cared  not  a  bit  for  her  dear  mother's  threat, 

Too  often  she'd  heard  the  same  story, 
Till  one  fated  day  to  her  home  she  returned, 

All  muddy,  and  dirty,  and  gory. 
She'd  just  had  a  fall,  she  smilingly  said, 

When  mother  remarked  her  condition ; 
Then  she  walked  to  her  rug  and  curled  down  for  a  nap, 

And  did  nothing  to  show  her  contrition. 

Oh,  she'll  be  happy  when  she  gets  it, 

Now,  won't  she  be  happy  when  she  gets  it? 

For  I  saw  her  mother's  eye, 

As  kitty  gaily  passed  her  by, 

And  I  know  she'll  be  happy  when  she  gets  it. 


CATS  AMD  KITTENS.  193 

That  mud  and  dirt  and  gore 

Were  really  the  last  straw  to  break  the  camel's  back, 
That  mother  watched  that  kit,  then  looked  about  her  quick, 

And  decided  that  the  time  was  very  ripe  for  her  to  act. 
She  seized  that  little  kit  by  the  back  of  the  neck, 

And  dragged  her  to  a  fast-running  stream, 
All  in  vain  were  her  screams, 

For  into  that  stream  was  she  hastily  and  speedily  tossed. 

Oh,  wasn't  she  happy  when  she  got  it ! 

I  told  you  that  she'd  be  so ; 

But  she  swam  for  her  dear  life, 

To  the  shore  where  mother  stood, 

And  promised  ever  more  to  be  good, 

For  she  wasn't  a  bit  happy  when  she  got  it. 


DICKENS  AND  HIS  KITTEN. 


CHARLES  DICKENS  was  particularly  fond  of  cats.  One 
little  deaf  kitten  had  the  liberty  of  her  master's  study.  She 
followed  him  about  like  a  dog  and  sat  beside  him  while  he  wrote. 

One  evening  Dickens  was  reading  by  a  small  table  upon  which 
stood  a  lighted  candle.  As  usual,  the  cat  was  at  his  elbow.  Sud- 
denly the  light  went  out. 

Dickens  was  deeply  interested  in  his  book,  and  he  proceeded 
to  relight  the  candle,  stroking  the  cat  while  he  did  so.  After- 
ward he  remembered  that  puss  had  looked  at  him  somewhat 
reproachfully  while  she  received  the  caress.  It  was  only  when 
the  light  again  became  dim  that  the  reason  of  her  melancholy 
suddenly  dawned  upon  him. 

Turning  quickly,  he  found  her  deliberately  putting  out  the 
candle  with  her  paw,  and  again  she  looked  at  him  appealingly. 
She  was  lonesome;  she  wanted  to  be  petted,  and  this  was  her 
device  for  gaining  her  end. 


ig6  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

LINCOLN'S  MOTHERLESS  KITTENS. 


Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


[During  one  of  President  Lincoln's  visits  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
three  tiny  kittens  were  crawling  about  the  tent.  The  mother  had  died,  ana 
the  little  wanderers  were  expressing  their  grief  by  mewing  piteously.  Mr. 
Lincoln  took  them  on  his  lap,  stroked  their  soft  fur,  and  murmured,  "Poor 
little  creatures!  Don't  cry;  you'll  be  taken  good  care  of;"  and,  turning  to 
an  officer,  said :  "Colonel,  I  hope  you  will  see  that  these  poor,  little,  moth- 
erless waifs  are  given  plenty  of  milk  and  treated  kindly."  The  Colonel 
replied :  "I  will  see,  Mr.  President,  that  they  are  taken  in  charge  by 
the  cook  of  our  mess,  and  are  well  cared  for."  Several  times  during 
his  stay,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  found  fondling  these  kittens.  He  would  wipe 
their  eyes  tenderly  with  his  handkerchief,  stroke  them,  and  listen  to  them 
purring  their  gratitude  to  him.  It  was  a  curious  sight  at  an  army  head- 
quarters, upon  the  eve  of  a  great  military  crisis  in  the  nation's  history, 
to  see  the  hand  that  had  signed  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  tenderly 
caressing  these  stray  kittens.] 

A  MOTHER  cat  with  kittens  three, 
Was  such  a  pretty  sight  to  see ; 
All  curled  around  her,  soft  and  warm, 
Those  babies  knew  no  fear  or  harm. 

Their  noses  were  a  rosy  pink ; 
Their  tiny  eyes,  they  tried  to  blink; 
While  pussy  sang,  as  mothers  do, 
And  babies  tried  to  join  her,  too. 

And,  then,  they  were  so  happy  there 
All  in  a  tent,  without  a  care; 
And  oft  the  mother  purred  with  pride, 
When  those  wee  mites  were  by  her  side. 

She  washed  their  faces  and  their  feet, 
With  velvet  paw,  for  she  was  neat ; 
And  taught  them  how  to  run  and  play, 
And  they  grew  cunning  ev'ry  day. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  itf 

But,  oh !  this  good  old  pussy  died, 
And  those  wee  babies  cried  and  cried ! 
They  did  not  know  that  she  was  dead, 
And  sorely  begged  they  to  be  fed. 

They  crawled  around  both  day  and  night, 
No  mother  there,  how  sad  their  plight, 
And  how  their  little  hearts  did  beat 
At  ev'ry  sound  of  coming  feet. 

A  man  was  passing  by  the  tent, 
He  paused,  then  quickly  in  he  went. 
He  saw  those  waifs,  he  picked  them  up 
And  called  for  milk  for  them  to  sup. 

Then  softly  murmured  "not  to  cry," 

A  friend  you  have  now  I  am  nigh. 

He  stroked  their  fur,  and  soothed  their  fears, 

And  even  wiped  away  their  tears. 

Those  grateful  babies  purred  and  purred, 
At  kindly  touch  and  gentle  word  ; 
For  Lincoln  was  their  friend  in  need, 
And  love  shown  in  his  ev'ry  deed. 

And  he  whose  pen  had  freed  a  race, 
Thought  petting  kittens  no  disgrace, 
Nor  stooping  to  a  thing  so  small, 
For  God  had  made  them,  one  and  all. 

His  great  heart  beat  for  them,  indeed, 
As  much  as  for  the  race  he  freed ; 
And  in  the  years  that  faster  come, 
All  love  to  think  of  this  deed  done. 


Ques. — Why  is  the  world  like  a  cat's  tail? 
Ans. — Because  it  is  fur  to  the  end  of  it. 


198  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 


MY  OL'  BLACK  CAT. 


Flavia    Rosser. 


YOU  jes'  orter  to  see  my  pi'  black  cat ; 
'E's  soft  like  a  cushion,  but  nicer'n  that. 
'E's  made  out  o'  velvet,  an'  stuffed  'ith  springs, 
An'  ther's  sumpin'  in  'im  wot  whizzes  an'  sings. 
'Is  eyes  'r  round  's  marbles,  an'  bigger'n  any  o'  mine ; 
They're  jes'  chock  full  o'  meanness,  an'  wink,  an'  blink,  an'  shine. 
We  ketch  'im  an'  hoi'  'im  in  th'  dark,  an'  rub  'im — my  pa  an'  I, 
'N'  you  orter  to  see  them  'lectric  sparks  wot  crackle,  an'  snap, 
an'  fly. 

Sometimes  my  pa'll  take  that  cat  an'  touch  'is  nose  to  'is 

I  wouldn't  do  it  'cause  it  hurts,  and  makes  pa  say,  "Gee  wiz' !" 
But  sometimes  pa  is  differunt,  and  them  is  the  times  wot  he 
Takes  me  out  to  the  woodshed  an'  kinder  wallops  me. 
It  gets  so  dark  in  the  woodshed  'at  I  sneak  up  near  th'  door, 
But  th'  other  children  won't  come  out,  nor  play  'ith  me  no  more. 
My  ma,  she  works  'ith  her  head  tucked  down,  so's  not  to  see  me 

cry; 
Them  times  I  think  how  sorry  this  fambly  'ud  be  if  I'd  die. 
But  yip !  'cross  th'  big,  black  garden,  my  cat  comes  hoppity-skip, 
'E  never  even  looks  to  see  th'  place  pa  throwed  the  whip; 
'E  humps  'is  back  up  'gainst  me,  an'  snuggles,  and  sniffs  an'  sings ; 
An'  stickles  me  'ith  'is  viskers,  an'  talks  'bout  other  things. 
O'  course  I  love  my  ol'  black  cat ;  w'y  it  seems  to  me  at  times  like 

that 
I  love  'im  better'n  I  love  ma,  'n'  a  good  deal  better'n  I  love  pa. 


Spell  live  mouse-trap  with  three  letters. 
C-A-T  (cat). 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  l«r, 


THE  DEAD  KITTEN. 


Sydney  Dayre. 


DON'T  talk  to  me  of  parties,  Nan;  really,  I  can  not  go. 
When  folks  are  in  affliction  they  don't  go  out,  you  know. 
I  have  a  new  brown  sash,  too ;  it  seems  a  pity,  eh  ? 
That  such  a  dreadful  trial  should  have  come  just  yesterday. 
The  play-house  blinds  are  all  pulled  down  as  dark  as  it  can  be, 
It  looks  so  very  solemn  and  so  proper,  don't  you  see? 
And  I  have  a  piece  of  crape  pinned  on  my  dolly's  hat ; 
Tom  says  it  is  ridiculous  for  only  just  a  cat. 
But  boys  are  all  so  horrid !     They  always,  every  one, 
Delight  in  teasing  little  girls  and  kitties,  "just  for  fun." 
The  way  he  used  to  pull  her  tail — it  makes  me  angry  now — 
And  scat  her  up  the  cherry-tree  to  make  the  darling  "meow." 
I've  had  her  all  the  summer.     One  day,  away  last  spring, 
I  heard  a  frightful  barking,  and  I  saw  the  little  thing 
In  the  corner  of  a  fence ;  'twould  have  made  you  laugh  outright 
To  see  how  everv  hair  stood  out,  and  how  she  tried  to  fight. 
I  shooed  the  dog  away,  she  jumped  upon  my  arm ; 
The  pretty  creature  knew  I  wouldn'  do  her  any  harm; 
I  hugged  her  close,  and  carried  her  to  mamma,  and  she  said 
She  should  be  my  own  Kitty,  if  I'd  see  that  she  was  fed. 
A  cunning  little  dot  she  was,  with  silky,  soft,  gray  fur ; 
She'd  be  for  hours  on  my  lap,  and  I  could  hear  her  purr, 
And  then  she'd  frolic  after  when  I  pulled  a  string  about, 
Or  try  to  catch  her  tail  or  roll  a  marble  in  and  out. 
Such  comfort  she  has  been  to  me  I'm  sure  no  one  can  tell, 
Unless  some  other. little  girl  who  loves  her  pussy  well. 
I've  heard  about  a  Maltese  cross ;  but  my  dear  little  Kit 
Was  always  sweet  and  amiable,  and  never  cross  a  bit ! 
But,  oh,  last  week  I  missed  her!     I  hunted  all  around; 
My  darling  little  pussy  cat  was  nowhere  to  be  found, 


fcpo.  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

I  knelt  and  whispered  softly,  when  nobody  could  see: 

"Take  care  of  little  Kitty,  please  and  bring  her  back  to  me." 

I  found  her  lying  yesterday  behind  the  lower  shed ; 

I  thought  my  heart  was  broken  when  I  found  that  she  was  dead. 

Tom  promised  me  another  one,  but  even  he  can  see 

No  other  Kitty  ever  will  be  just  the  same  to  me. 

I  can't  go  to  your  party,.  Mamie  Macaroons,  you  say? 

And  ice-cream  ?     I  know  I  ought  to  try  and  not  give  way ; 

And  I  feel  it  would  be  doing  wrong  to  disappoint  you  so, 

Well,  if  I'm  equal  to  it  by  to-morrow,  I  may  go. 


MY  CAT  AND  DOG. 


Marori. 


I  HAVE  a  cat;  she's  as  black  as  my  hat. 
Fur  fifty  times  finer  than  silk, 
And  what  e'er  is  occurring,  she  always  is  purring, 

Especially  over  her  milk. 
And  I  have  a  dog,  too,  a  wonderful  dog, 

Nobility  beams  in  his  eye ; 
And.  early  or  late,  for  his  master  he'll  wait — 
None  such  friends  as  dear  doggie  and  I. 

His  dear,  honest  nose  he  shoves  into  my  hand, 

Yet  growls  if  a  rogue  comes  in  view ; 
And  his  great  wagging  tail  makes  one  quite  understand 

He's  a  watchman  both  fearless  and  true. 
A  trio  of  jolly  companions  are  we, 

Together  we  pleasantly  jog; 
Indulge  in  no  riot,  but  live  very  quiet — 

Myself  and  my  cat  and  my  dog. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  201 


THE  LOST  MITTENS. 


T 


HREE  little  kittens  lost  their  mittens, 

And  they  began  to  cry, 

"O  mother  dear, 

We  very  much  fear 
That  we  have  lost  our  mittens." 

"Lost  your  mittens ! 

You  naughty  kittens ! 
Then  you  shall  have  no  pie." 

"Mee-ow,  mee-ow,  mee-ow." 
"No,  you  shall  have  no  pie." 

"Mee-ow,  mee-ow,  mee-ow." 


The  three  little  kittens  found  their  mittens, 
And  they  began  to  cry, 

"O  mother  dear, 

See  here,  see  here, 
See !  we  have  found  our  mittens." 

"Put  on  your  mittens, 

You  silly  kittens, 
And  you  may  have  some  pie." 

"Purr-r,  purr-r,  purr-r, 
Oh,  let  us  have  the  pie. 

Purr-r,  purr-r,  purr-r." 


202  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

The  three  little  kittens  put  on  their  mittens, 
And  soon  ate  up  the  pie ; 
"O  mother  dear, 
We  greatly  fear 

That  we  have  soiled  our  mittens." 

-  '7  y 

"Soiled  your  mittens !  - 

You  naughty  kittens !" 
Then  they  began  to  sigh, 

"Mee-ow,  mee-ow,  mee-ow." 
Then  they  began  to  sigh, 

"Mee-ow,  mee-ow,  mee-ow." 

The  three  little  kittens  washed  their  mittens 
And  hung  them  out  to  dry; 

"O  mother  dear, 

Do  you  not  hear, 
That  we  have  washed  our  mittens?" 

"Washed  your  mittens ! 

Oh,  you're  good  kittens. 
But  I  smeli  a  rat  close  by !" 

"Hush,  hush  !  mee-ow,  mee-ow! 
We  smell  a  rat  close  by ! 

Mee-ow,  mee-ow,  mee-ow!" 


KITTYCAT  AND  THE  MILKMAN. 


M 


R.  MILKMAN,  please  to  stop! 
Fill  my  jug  up  to  the  top; 


Half  for  mother,  half  for  me, 
Fresh  and  sweet  milk  let  it  be. 
Mother  told  me,  too,  to  say,  ' 
'Please  to  call  here  twice  to-day." 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  203 


TWO  HEARTS  AND  A  KITTEN. 


Mabel   Preece. 


TIMOTHY  Dale,  the  blacksmith,  sat  beside  the  kitchen  table 
in  his  tiny  cottage,  laboriously  penning-  his  first  love  letter. 
He  destroyed  sheet  after  sheet  of  writing'  paper  in  disgust  at  his 
misshapen  letters  and  poor  composition,  until  only  one  remained. 
"It's  got  ter  come  right  on  this  'ere  one,  or  it  can't  be  done 
at  all.  The  store's  closed  fer  th'  night  an'  I  ain't  got  no  more 
paper." 

"Dere  Cynthia,""  it  read,  "can  you  mete  me  bi  the  mill  to  mor- 
row at  3.  i  luv  you  and  wood  like  to  no  if  you  do  the  same  and 
will  marrie  me  plese  not  to  forgit  at  3  yours  trooly     Tim  Dale." 

Cynthia  Warden  turned  up  the  lamp  and  read  the  letter  with 
no  great  surprise,  for  Timothy  was  not  an  adept  in  concealing 
his  feelings.  But  Cynthia  had  been  at  boarding-school,  and  the 
honest  but  faulty  epistle  somewhat  jarred  on  her.  And  then 
there  was  Walter  Hughes. 

Walter  Hughes  was  a  traveling  salesman  and  at  times  visited 
his  uncle,  old  Lawyer  Hughes,  the  richest  man  in  the  place.  At 
first  the  visits  were  infrequent,  prompted  by  duty  and  the  thought 
of  "uncle's  little  pile  in  the  bank ;"  but  after  meeting  Cynthia  War- 
den he  seemed  to  form  an  attachment  for  the  village  and  spent 
much  time  there.  His  city-bred  airs  and  refinement  won  Cyn- 
thia's regards,  and  when  he  gave  accounts  of  his  thrilling  ex- 
periences, her  heart  warmed  to  this  hero  of  her  girlish  dreams. 
As  she  stood  gazing  out  of  her  window,  she  almost  laughed  aloud 
at  the  thought  of  marrying  Timothy  Dale. 

"Of  course,  it's  absurd.  I  might  have  thought  him  all  very 
well  had  not  Walter  come ; — but  now  it  is  out  of  the  question." 

As  Walter  Hughes  walked  to  Cynthia's  home  the  following 
afternoon  his  thoughts  were  extremely  pleasant. 

"The  little  game  is  progressing  very  favorably,"  he  murmured, 


204  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

rubbing  his  soft,  flabby  hands  together  in  delight.  "The  girl  is 
awfully  smitten  with  me.  She'll  come  in  for  a  goodly  share  of  old 
Warden's  savings,  and  I  might  do  worse  than  to  marry  her." 

He  found  Cynthia  standing  by  the  gate  waiting  for  him. 

"Come  for  a  Avalk,"  he  suggested.  "Cynthia,"  he  said,  when 
they  had  exhausted  the  minor  topics  of  thte  day,  "I  love  you,  and  I 
believe  you  are  not  wholly  indifferent  to  me.  Will  you  marry 
me?" 

Cynthia  turned  her  eyes  away  that  he  might  not  see  her  great 
happiness,  and  as  she  did  so  they  fell  on  an  object  by  the  road- 
side. 

It  was  a  kitten  that  some  cruel  boys  had  stoned.  With  a  cry 
of  pity  she  drew  her  hand  from  Hughes's  grasp  and  started  to- 
ward the  kitten,  but  he  pulled  her  roughly  back. 

"Never  mind  the  fool  cat,  Cynthia.  What  if  it  is  hurt?  I 
guess  I'm  of  more  importance  than  a  kitten.  Answer  my  ques- 
tion :  will  you  marry  me  ?" 

It  was  as  if  a  veil  had  been  torn  from  her  eyes.  His  cold,  un- 
sympathetic words,  and  still  more,  his  pitiless  face,  betrayed  the 
cruel,  selfish  nature  of  the  man.  and  Cynthia's  face  flushed  with 
indignation  and  shame  at  the  thought  of  having  cared  for  such 
as  he. 

"No,"  she  responded  quietly,  but  firmly,  "I  will  not." 

He  turned  on  his  heel  and  left  her  standing  there,  and  she 
buried  her  face  in  her  hands,  shuddering  at  the  horror  of  what 
she  had  escaped. 

A  cheery  voice  roused  her  from  her  reverie. 

"Well,  Cynthia,  girl,  here  you  are!  I've  been  looking  by  the 
mill  for  you,  but  as  you  warn't  there  I  thought  I'd  take  a  turn 
up  this  'ere  way  an'  maybe  I'd  find — why,  look  at  that  pore  little 
cat!  Now,  I'd  jest  like  ter  know  who  could  ha'  done  that! 
Wouldn't  I  larrup  their  hide,  though  ?" 

He  picked  the  kitten  up  and  bound  its  wounded  foot  with  his 
coarse  red  pocket-handkerchief.  The  hands  of  the  burly  fellow 
became  as  tender  as  a  woman's. 

"I'll  jest  take  it  home  an'  fix  it  up,"  he  said  carelessly,  slightly 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  205 

ashamed  of  showing-  his  soft-heartedness.  "It'll  be  sort  'er  com- 
pany 'bout  the  house.  An'  now,  Cynthia,  I  jest  wanted  ter  know 
ef  you'd  do  what  I  said  in  th'  letter — marry  me — you  know.  I 
ain't  got  much  but  a  heart  full  of  honest  love  ter  give  you,  girl, 
but  I'll  do  my  best  by  you  an'  make  you  happy.  I  know  I  ain't 
much,  but — but — " 

It  was  the  longest  speech  the  poor  fellow  had  ever  made  and  he 
broke  down  confusedly.  But  Cynthia,  looking  up  at  him  with 
glistening  eyes,  said  softly:  "Will  I  marry  you,  Tim?  Yes — 
with  all  my  heart." 

Then,  as  with  a  low  exclamation  of  surprise  and  joy  he  turned 
quickly  toward  her, — 

"Look  out !"  she  cried,  laughing  through  the  tears  sparkling 
in  her  eyes,  "Look  out,  or  you'll  drop  the  kitten !" 


LITTLE  TURNCOATS. 


Georgia  A.  Peck. 


AS  passed  the  rector  of  All  Saints'  one  day, 
Obsequiously  an  old  man  crossed  his  way, 
And  with  "Good-mornin',  sir!"  his  head  laid  bare; 
Then,  steadying  his  basket  with  all  care, 
He  turned  its  cover  back  to  show  within 
Three  sleeping  kittens,  saying,  with  a  grin, 
"I  have  some  fine  Episcopal  kittens  here 
That  you  might  like  to  buy, — they  won't  come  dear." 

'Look  here,  old  man!"  called  out  a  passer-by, 
T  see  what  you're  about,  with  half  an  eye! 
You  tried  to  sell  that  lot  to  me  last  night 
As  good,  clean,  Baptist  kittens." 

"You  are  right, 
My  friend,  and  they  were  Baptist  then,  all  three, 
But  'twas  before  their  eyes  were  opened !    See  ?" 


206  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

THE  MISCHIEVOUS  CAT. 


Mrs.  E.  J.  Corbett. 


LITTLE  Pussy  Pink-toes  sat  in  the  sun, 
Blinking, 
And  thinking 
What  next  could  be  done? 
There  wasn't  a  mouse 
To  be  found  in  the  house, 
Nor  even  a  rat  in  the  cellar — not  one. 
And  Pussy  said,  "Mi-ow !  I  wish  I  could  find 
A  nice  bit  of  mischief  just  to  my  mind." 

Around  the  corner  came  Johnny  McGee, 
Aged  four, 
And  no  more, 
Plump  and  rosy,  and  pleasant  to  see. 

Not  a  moment  he  tarried, 

But  carefully  carried 
A  pitcher  of  milk  for  his  grandmother's  tea. 

"Ho!  ho!"  cried  the  cat — 

"I'd  like  to  taste  that; 
I'll  frighten  young  Johnny,  and  then  he  will  flee." 

So  this  wicked  pussy-cat  quickly  uprose, 
Raised  her  tail 
Like  a  sail, 
Showed  the  sharp  claws  in  her  little  pink  toes, — 

And  grew  bigger  and  bigger, 

A  terrible  figure — 
Poor  Johnny  was  frightened,  as  you  may  suppose. 

And  her  tail,  how  it  swelled — 

And  her  voice,  how  she  yelled — 
'Twas  so  dreadful  that  poor  little  Johnny  stood  there 
Quaking  and  shaking  with  fright  and  despair. 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  207 

Pussy's  hair  stood  right  up — her  eyes  were  so  greetl — 
Her  jaws, 
And  her  claws, 
Made  the  ugliest  picture  that  ever  was  seen — 
"I'm  afraid — of  that  cat — "  sobbed  Johnny — "boo-hoo !" 
Then  down,  with  a  smash, 
The  pitcher  went — crash! 
And  poor  Johnny  McGee 
Had  lost  all  the  milk  for  his  grandmother's  tea. 

So  the  milk  was  all  spilled,  and  Pussy  got  none, 
Of  course ; 
She  was  cross, 
As  she  sat  there  washing  her  face  in  the  sun. 
"Not  even  a  taste 
Of  that  milk — what  a  waste!" 
"It  wasn't,"  said  Pussy,  "the  least  bit  of  fun  ?" 


DOWN  TO  ST.  IVES. 


AS  I  went  down  to  St.  Ives 
I  met  seven  wives. 
Each  wife  had  seven  sacks; 
Each  sack,  seven  cats ; 
Each  cat,  seven  kits ; 
Kits,  cats, 
Sacks,  wives, 
How  many  went  down  to  St.  Ives  ? 

Ans. — One ;  the  rest  came  from  there. 


She  saw  them  weigh  the  baby,  and  nothing  then  would  do, 
But  she  must  knot  a  handkerchief  and  weigh  her  kitty,  too. 
"Oh,  mamma,  come  and  look !"  she  cried ;  "you  mustn't  speak  or 

laugh ! 
My  darling  little  kitty  weighs  a  dollar  and  a  half !" 


208  CATS  'AND   KITTENS. 


KITTY  AT  SCHOOL. 


Kate  Ulmer. 


COME,  Kitty  dear,  I'll  tell  you  what 
We'll  do  this  rainy  day ; 
Just  you  and  I,  all  by  ourselves, 
At  keeping  school,  will  play. 

The  teacher,  Kitty,  I  will  be ; 

And  you  shall  be  the  class ; 
And  you  must  close  attention  give, 

If  you  expect  to  pass. 

Now,  Kitty,  "C-A-T"  spells  cat. 

Stop  playing  with  your  tail ! 
You  are  so  heedless,  I  am  sure 

In  spelling  you  will  fail. 

"C-A"  oh,  Kitty !  do  sit  still ! 

You  must  not  chase  that  fly ! 
You'll  never  learn  a  single  word, 
You  do  not  even  try. 

I'll  tell  you  what  my  teacher  says 

To  me  most  ev'ry  day — 
She  says  that  girls  can  never  learn 

While  they  are  full  of  play. 

So  try  again — another  word; 

"L-A-C-E"  spells  "lace." 
Why,  Kitty,  it  is  not  polite 
In  school  to  wash  your  face ! 


(AH5t)   IT  U/A5  oO^Rj 


H 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  209 

You  are  a  naughty,  naughty  puss, 

And  keep  you  in  I  should; 
But,  then,  I  love  you,  dear,  so  much 

I  don't  see  how  I  could ! 

O,  see !  the  sun  shines  bright  again ! 

We'll  run  out  doors  and  play; 
We'll  leave  our  school  and  lessons  for 

Another  rainy  day. 


BOY  BLUE  AND  HIS  GUN. 


Nellie  M.  Garabraut. 


RUB-a-dub-dub," 
Said  the  boy  in  blue, 
"I  have  got  a  big  gun 
And  I  will  shoot  you." 

"Oh,  don't  shoot  me," 
Said  the  little  brown  dog; 
"Go  down  to  the  mill-pond, 
And  shoot  at  a  frog." 

"Oh,  no,  no !" 
Said  the  boy  in  blue ; 
"I've  made  up  my  mind 
That  I  will  shoot  you." 

"I  can't  shoot  frogs. 
They  won't  stand  still, 
Ker-splash !  they  go  under 
The  wheel  of  the  mill." 


210  '  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

"I  shan't  stand  still, 
No  more  than  the  frog, 
So  you  can't  shoot  me," 
Said  the  little  brown  dog. 

He  ran  in  a  hole 
Right  under  the  house 
And  lay  there  as  still — 
As  still  as  a  mouse. 

"Well,  I  don't  care," 
Said  the  boy  in  blue, 
"I'll  shoot  a  robin,  and 
Bring  him  down,  too." 

"Do,"  cried  the  cat; 
"That  will  be  nice, 
And  I  will  crunch 
All  his  bones  in  a  trice." 

The  blue  boy  took  aim, 
But  aimed  not  aright, 
Or  like  cock-sparrow 
He  shot  in  a  fright. 

The  robin  he  missed 
But  killed  the  old  cat; 
His  grandmother  gave  him 
A  thrashing  for  that. 


A  certain  room  has  eight  corners;  in  every  corner  sits  a  cat, 
on  every  cat's  tail  sits  a  cat,  and  before  each  cat  is  a  cat.  How 
many  cats  in  the  room?    Ans. — Eight  cats. 


!  %       ■■  CATS  AND  KITTENS.  .  211 

WHY  THE  CAT  ALWAYS  FALLS  UPON  HER  FEET. 


A  Legend. 


Louise  Jamison. 


ONE  day  a  magician  was  traveling  through  a  great  forest. 
He  was  a  very  good  magician,  and  always  ready  to  help  any 
creature  in  need. 

After  he  had  gone  a  long  way  through  the  forest,  he  was  very 
tired;  and,  as  the  sun  was  growing  hot,  he  lay  down  at  the  foot  of 
a  big  tree,  and  was  soon  asleep.  While  he  slept,  a  great  serpent 
came  softly  out  of  the  thicket,  and,  as  soon  as  it  saw  the  man,  it 
began  to  hiss  to  itself: 

"Ah,  ha !  ah,  ha,  I've  got  him  now !  He'll  not  spoil  my  supper 
again  in  a  hurry.  I  could  have  eaten  that  cat  last  night  if  he  had 
not  driven  me  away.     I'll  kill  him  for  it  now." 

So  it  crept  nearer  and  nearer,  and  the  magician  slept  on,  without 
any  thought  oi  danger. 

But  it  happened  that  the  cat  was  watching.  She  was  up  in  the 
tree,  and  she  had  not  forgotten  how  the  magician  had  saved  her 
from  this  cruel  serpent. 

The  serpent  was  very  large  and  she  was  only  a  small  cat,  and 
she  was  terribly  afraid,  but  she  meant  to  save  her  good  friend  if 
she  could. 

So,  just  as  the  serpent  was  about  to  spring,  she  leaped  down 
upon  his  back  and  stuck  her  paws  deep  into  his  head. 

Wild  with  pain  and  anger,  he  tried  to  reach  her  with  his  deadly 
fangs,  but  she  was  always  too  quick  for  him,  and  she  used  her 
claws  to  such  good  purpose  that  her  enemy  soon  lay  dead. 

Then  she  was  so  tired  after  her  hard  struggle  that  she  had  to 
lie  down  herself. 

The  magician  found  her  beside  him  when  he  awoke,  and  when 
he  saw  the  dead  serpent  he  knew  his  life  had  been  saved  by  his 
brave  little  friend. 


212  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

"Dear  little  cat,"  he  said,  /'what  can  I  do  to  show  how  much 
I  thank  you  ?  Your  eyes  are  quick  to  see,  and  your  ears  quick  to 
hear;  and  for  running  your  feet  have  been  made  swift,  but  one 
thing  I  can  give  you.  All  men  shall  know  you  as  their  friend, 
and  your  home  shall  be  with  them,  and  for  your  sake  all  cats  shall 
leap  where  they  will,  and  fall  ever  upon  their  feet/' 


DAISY'S  THANKSGIVING. 


NOW  kitten-cat,  Daisy,  just  hear  me, 
And  'tend  to  each  word  that  I  say, 
And  don't  frisk  around  so  'bout  nothing, 

To-morrow  '11  be  Thanksgiving  Day. 
And  if  you  don't  chew  up  your  ribbon, 

Nor  dabble  it  round  in  the  snow, 
But  behave  all  the  time,  just  as  pretty, 

You'll  have  something  splendid,  you  know. 

There's  another  thing,  Daisy,  I'll  tell  you, 

Aunt  Mary  is  coming  to-day, 
To  show  us  a  sweet,  darling  baby, 

That's  named  just  like  me — Allie  Ma)'. 
And  if  it  should  happen  to  squeeze  you, 

Or  pull  your  long  tail  the  least  mite, 
You  are  not  to  scratch  her  nor  bite  her, 

For  that  wouldn't  be  just  polite. 

We  must  do  all  we  can  that'll  please  her, 

She  being  our  company  so ; 
Besides,  such  a  new  little  baby 

Ain't  had  time  to  learn  better,  you  know. 
So,  if  she  does  tease  you,  dear  Daisy, 

Though,  of  course,   I   don't  say  it  is  right, 
Please  just  get  away  from  her  easy, 

Not  scratching  the  least  little  mite. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  213 

I  s'pose  you  don't  know  'bout  Thanksgiving, 

'Cause  you  haven't  had  one  before; 
I'll  tell  you :  there'll  be  a  big  turkey, 

And  pie  made  of  chickens — and  more. 
And  puddings  all  full  of  sweet  raisins, 

And  jelly  and  jam — such  a  treat! 
And  if  you're  a  good  kitten,  Daisy. 

You'll  get  a  whole  plateful  to  eat. 


THE  NEWSBOY'S  CAT;  OR  THE  FAM'LY  MAN. 


E.  T.   CORBETT. 


WANT  any  paper,  Mister? 
Wish  you'd  buy  'era  of  me — 
Ten  years  old,  an'  a  fam'ly, 
An'  bizness  dull,  you  see, 
Fact,  Boss !     There's  Tom,  an'  Tabby, 

An'  Dad,  an'  Mam,  an'  Mam's  cat, 
None  on  'em  earnin'  money — 
What  do  you  think  of  that? 

Couldn't  Dad  work?     Why,  yes,  Boss, 
He's  working  for  Gov'ment  now — 

They  give  him  his  board  for  nothin' — 

All  along  of  a  drunken  row. 

An'  Mam?     Well,  she's  in  the  poorhouse- 
Been  there  a  year  or  so; 

So  I'm  takin'  care  of  the  others, 
Doin'  as  well  as  I  know. 

Oughn't  to  live  so?     Why,  Mister, 

What's  a  feller  to  do? 
Some  nights  when  I'm  tired  and  hungry, 
Seems  as  if  each  on  'em  knew — 


214  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

They'll  all  three  cuddle  around  me, 
Till  I  get  cheery,  and  say; 

Well,  p'rhaps  I'll  have  sisters  an'  brothers, 
An'  money  an'  clothes,  too,  some  day. 

But  if  I  do  get  rich,  Boss, 

(An'  a  lecturin'  chap  one  night 

Said  newsboys  could  be  Presidents 
If  only  they  acted  right)  ; 
'  So,  if  I  was  President,  Mister, 
The  very  first  thing  I'd  do, 

I'd  buy  poor  Tom  an'  Tabby 

A  dinner — an'  Mam's  cat,  too ! 

None  o'  your  scraps  an'  leavin's, 

But  a  good  square  meal  for  all  three; 
If  you  think  I'd  skimp  my  friends,  Boss, 

That  shows  you  don't  know  me. 
So,  'ere's  your  papers — come,  take  one, 

Gimme  a  lift,  if  you  can — 
For  now  you've  heard  my  story, 

You  see,  I'm  a  fam'ly  man  ! 


MY  TUSST. 


Time  "Itnj  a  broom." 


1.     I       like  lit  -  tie      pussy/hef  coat  is    bo  •warm.  Ami,' 
2.  Sbe  stall  sit  by  ray  side,  aud  I'll  give  her  some  food,  Aud  she'll 
3.     I'll    not  pinch  her  ears,    nor  tread  on  her  paw,  Lest 

t—f — g_<-L_#_::q MEai — n — i~r    — rbrStS  — i  — l"T~*^~F 

if        I      don't  hurt    her,  Bhe'll    do.  me    no    harm.    So    I'll    not  pull  her     tail, 

love      rne,   be  -  cause      I       am      gen- tie   and    good.  I'll  pat    lit  -  tlo   pussy, 

I     should  pro  •  voke    her      to,     use    her  sharp  claw.  I     uev  -  er  will  vex  her, 

q-p=q  rrzrrzzrpjfqzrpS^-^rr^E^— qpxrq  _  qrxrq      :      =pz3=rcp 

-3— — ^ 1 1— f— »-J — -•+-! 1 — — ' — *+* ' ' — — * 1 ' — — ' — Vr 


nor  driveher  a  -  way,  But  pus-sy  and  I  ve  •  ry  gen-tly  will  play. 
and  then  sbe  will  purr,  And  thus  show  her  thanks  for  my  kindness  to  ner. 
nor  make  her    dis  -  pleased,  For    pus  -  sy    don't  like    to    be      wor-ried  and  teased, 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  215 


BOYS'  COMPOSITIONS  ON  CATS. 


COMPOSITION  I. 


ATS  is  an  insect  what  has  no  wings  and  has  a  long  tail.  It 
looks  like  fishworms,  only  fishworms  hasn't  got  no  hair  on 
it  like  cats  has.  Cats  is  black,  and  sets  on  back  fentses  and  buzzes 
its  wings,  which  it  hasn't  got  any.  Cats  is  like  locusts  'bout  this, 
'sept  locust  es  got  wings,  an'  cats  waves  its  talze  'bove  its  head, 
and  don't  set  on  trees.  Cats  was  a  Namerican  invention  made  by 
a  Mr.  Pharaoh,  of  Egypt,  Illinois,  'bout  one  thousand  years  ago 
or  so;  I  expect  it  was  so  or  maybe  more  so.  Anyway  this  man 
didn't  get  no  patent  on  cats,  and  they  was  copied  by  some  fulish 
man  who  carried  'em  to  New  Yorick  where  they  have  ruled  things 
at  night  with  a  tight  pair  o'  strings,  fur  some  daze.  Cats  has  a 
hump  back  with  long  bristles  onto  it.  It  has  a  pair  o'  lungs,  which 
extends  clean  back  to  its  tail,  which  is  long.  It  uses  all  o'  these 
yere  lungs  in  singin'  low,  sweet  melodies  to  the  pail,  watery 
mime,  'bout  1  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Cats  sometimes  sits  on 
the  comb  of  a  slippery  roof,  an'  sizen  sobs  an'  squalls  an'  strokes 
each  other's  whiskers.  Cats  uses  two  legs  to  set  on,  one  to  stand 
on  an'  t'other  to  fan  his  partner  with.  I  know  two  cats  what  did 
this  on  our  woodshed.  I  guess  they  did  it  because  they  thought 
they  would  shed.  I  know  they  got  up  there  to  shed,  for  me  an' 
Jack  found  half  a  hatful  of  catfur,  an'  a  pocketful  o'  claws  there- 
the  next  mornin'.  Wonder  why  they  don't  shed  in  the  daytime? 
Must  be  mime  had  something  to  do  with  it.  Cats,  unlike  the  in- 
secks,  don't  have  no  stingers.  The  bumblebee  has.  I  onc't 
caught  a  bumblebee  an'  gave  it  to  a  cat.  Cats  don't  like  bees, 
cspeshly  them  what  hez  splinters  in  ther  talez,  wich  this  had.  The 
thing  stung  all  the  way  down  and  half  way  back  again;  the  cat 
run  about  seventeen  miles  an'  then  dropped  down  by  the  shady 
side  of  a  stay-hack  an'  quickly,  without  warnin'/he  hastily  died  a 
sudden  death  all  at  once,  for  want  of  breath. 


216  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Onc't  when  Jack  an'  me  was  playin'  fishin'  in  our  well  with  a 
tom-cat  tied  to  a  string,  Jack  got  hurt.  He  had  the  cat  down  in 
the  well,  waitin'  for  a  bite,  an'  when  his  back  was  turned  it 
crawled  up  the  brick  an'  clawed  the  sap  outen  him.  After  that 
Jack  didn't  fule  with  cats. 

I  once  knew  a  man  who  was  wicked  enough  to  throw  a  stove-lid 
through  a  big  tom-cat  at  night,  an'  the  very  next  day  he  heard 
that  his  grandmother  had  broke  her  leg  in  New  Orleans  and  sev- 
eral other  places,  which  prove  how  wicked  and  sinful  it  is  to  dis- 
turb the  critters;  an'  that's  all  I  know  about  cats. 


COMPOSITION  II. 


THE  cat  which  we  had  afor  we  got  Mose  was  yeller,  and  didn't 
have  no  ears,  and  not  eny  tail,  too,  cos  they  were  cut  off  to 
make  it  go  way  from  where  it  lived,  for  it  was  so  ugly  so  it  come 
to  our  house.  One  day  my  mother  she  sed  wudent  my  father 
drown  it,  cos  she  knew  where  she  cud  get  a  nicer  looking  one. 
So  my  father  he  put  it  in  a  bag,  and  a  brick  in  the  bag,  too,  and 
threw  it  in  the  pond  and  went  to  his  office,  my  father  did.  But 
the  cat  busted  the  bag  string,  and  wen  my  father  cum  home  it  was 
lying  under  the  sofa,  but  cum  out  to  look  at  him.  So  they  looked 
at  one  another  for  a  long  wile,  and  bime  by  my  father  sed  to  my 
mother :  "Well,  you  are  a  mity  poor  hand  to  go  shoppin'  for  cats. 
Thisn  is  a  site  uglier  than  the  other." 


COMPOSITION  III. 


CATS  don't  like  to  swim,  and  never  do  except  it's  an  old  cat 
that  you  want  to  get  rid  of  and  you  do  her  up  in  a  bag  with 
some  bricks  and  throw  her  into  a  mill-pond  off  the  bridge,  and 
then  she'll  burst  the  bag  and  swim  ashore  and  kite  for  home,  so's 
to  be  there  to  welcome  you  there,  so's  you  won't  feel  lonesome. 

Our  cat  lives  in  the  house  what  times  she  don't  live  over  to 
Jones's  barn.  She  is  real  handy  to  throw  stones  at  and  to  pull  her 
tail  and  make  her  squawk.     I  make  her  squawk  ten  or  six  times  a 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  217 

day,  and  the  backs  of  my  hands  is  drawed  out  in  lines  like  a  map, 
where  her  toe  nails  has  got  hitched. 

Cats  can  climb  telegraph  poles  and  set  on  the  ridgepoles  of  four- 
story  houses  without  being-  dizzy  headed,  and  they  can  sleep  with 
one  eye  open  and  lay  awake  with  both  eyes  shut. 

I'd  rather  have  a  dog  than  a  cat,  any  day.  Dogs  can  race  cats, 
they  can  race  other  dogs,  they  can  race  boys,  or  anything.  No- 
body ain't  scared  of  a  cat.  A  mouse  is ;  but  not  if  it  ain't  some- 
wheres  that  it  can't  get  out  of,  or  a  rat,  either.  A  dog  can  make 
a  cat  dead  if  he  bites  her  enough.  When  he  comes  in  the  yard 
he  can  make  her  tail  look  like  a  Christmas  tree.  He  can  make 
her  fix  her  back  up  like  a  camel.  I  ain't  afraid  of  thieves, 
but  thieves  are  afraid  of  dogs.  If  a  thief  comes  where  a  dog  can 
get  at  him  he'll  run  like  the  deust ;  but  the  dog  won't  run.  A  dog 
can  watch  a  house  better  than  a  policeman.  He  won't  let  the  man 
that  owns  it  come  in  the  back  yard  in  the  middle  of  the  night ; 
but  a  cat  would.  If  a  man  or  any  other  thief  was  to  sneak  in, 
would  a  cat  care  ?  She'd  go  over  the  fence  like  lightning.  That's 
what!  A  dog  knows  when  your  home  from  school.  He  ain't 
sleepy  then.  He  has  fun  with  old  hats,  if  you  give  him  one. 
You've  got  to  pay  for  keeping  him ;  but  you  don't  a  cat ;  because 
a  dog's  some  good  and  a  cat  ain't.     I'd  rather  have  a  dog. 


COMPOSITION  IV. 


IF  I  had  invented  a  cat,  I  should  have  made  her  without  nails. 
Cats  is  full  of  music.  They  have  concerts  every  night  in  our 
wood-shed,  and  no  tickets  to  pay  for.  The  rich  and  the  poor  alike 
are  welcome  to  hear  'em. 

Cats  live  on  mice,  and  what  cream  and  beefsteak  they  can  steal 
out  of  the  pantry.  Sometimes  they  catch  chickens,  and  that 
makes  the  old  hen  mad,  and  the  old  woman  that  owns  the  chick- 
ens madder.  And  she  goes  for  the  cat  with  a  broom,  and  the 
cat  climbs  a  tree  and  sits  there  and  lafs  at  her,  and  goes  to  sleep 
and  dreams  she  is  in  a  kitchen  again  till  it  comes  night,  and  then 
she  climbs  down  back  end  fust  and  °:oes  off  to  a  concert  to  see 


218  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

the  other  cats.  Thomas  cats  has  the  best  voices  and  can  sing 
bass  and  tenor  both  at  once.  It  is  nice  to  hear  'em,  but  when  you 
sleep  alone  and  wake  suddenly  by  hearing  of  'em,  there  is  some- 
thing or  ruther  that  makes  a  feller's  flesh  creep  and  the  cold  shiv- 
ers run  down  his  backbone. 

Cats  like  to  get  on  the  spare  bed  among  the  shams  and  things, 
and  paw  'em  all  down  into  a  nest,  and  they  like  to  go  to  sleep  in 
your  best  coat.  I  expect  they  enjoy  the  fun  of  hearing  you  swear 
the  next  day  when  you  brush  it.     I  should  if  I  was  a  cat. 

Kittens  is  cats  when  they  are  first  born,  and  there  is  an  awful 
sight  of  'em.  They  keep  coming  right  along  without  regard  to 
wind  or  weather. 

They  are  dreadful  cute,  and  can  unwind  more  thread  and  tear 
up  more  fancy  gimcracks  that  the  girls  make  than  any  other 
known  animal. 

It  ain't  lucky  to  kill  a  cat.  I  don't  know  why.  It  is  good  luck 
to  have  one  come  to  you  if  you  keep  her.  You  get  rich  right 
away,  or  poor,  I  forget  which.  Every  cat  has  nine  lives,  and  they 
don't  never  die  if  let  alone  unless  they  have  fits,  which  most  of  'em 
has.  A  cat  in  a  fit  will  beat  a  whole  circus  all  to  nothing,  and  the 
first  thing  you  know  she'll  come  right  out  of  it  and  go  to  eating 
milk  just  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 


DOG  AND  CAT. 


THERE  were  once  a  dog  and  a  cat, 
Who  out  on  the  door-step  sat. 
The  dog  said  "Bow,"  and  the  cat  "Mieuw!" 
Then  they  both  ran  after  a  rat,  rat,  rat ; 
Then  they  both  ran  after  a  rat. 

The  cat  caught  the  rat  in  a  trice ; 
Said  she:   "Don't  you  think  it  is  nice?" 

The  dog  said  "Bow,"  and- the  cat  "Mieuw!" 
Then  they  wiped  their  whiskers  twice,  twice,  twice; 
Then  they  wiped  their  whiskers  twice. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  Z19 

PUSSY  WILLOWS. 


O  MABEL!     O  Fannie!     Come  out  for  fun! 
Old  winter  is  going!     Now,  now,  there'll  be  funl 
The  boys,  with  their  marbles,  are  down  on  their  knees, 
And  wee  willow  pussies  are  climbing  the  trees. 

The  dandelion  blossoms  will  show  us  their  gold, 
The  pansies  their  droll  little  faces  unfold, 
The  blue-birds  will  come  and  the  robins  and  bees, 
For  wee  willow  pussies  are  climbing  the  trees. 

The  ants  will  creep  up  from  their  holes  in  the  ground, 
The  blundering  beetles  will  come  bumping  'round, 
The  frogs  will  be  singing  in  all  sorts  of  keys, 
For  wee  willow  pussies  are  climbing  the  trees. 

I  love  them !     I  love  them — those  sweet  little  cats  ! 
They're  not  much  for  frolic  nor  catching  of  rats ; 
But  don't  the  spring  goodies  come  back  by  degrees 
When  they  are  seen  climbing  the  old  willow  tree? 

Oh,  ar'n't  they  just  lovely — all  clinging  so  tight — 
Their  whiskers  and  scratchers  tucked  clear  out  of  sight 
A-swinging  and  swaying  in  every  light  breeze  ? 
They  turn  to  pure  silver,  the  ugly  old  trees ! 


HAD  TO  EAT  IT. 


LITTLE  FLOSSIE  had  been  presented  with  a  small  candy 
cat  by  her  aunt,  and  it  furnished  amusement  for  nearly  a 
week.  One  day  it  was  missing,  however,  and  her  mother  asked 
her  if  she  had  lost  it. 

"No,  mamma,  me  didn't  losed  it,"  replied  Flossie.     "Me  des' 
played  wif  it  till  it  dot  so  dirty,  me  des'  had  to  eat  it." 


22Q  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

KITTY'S  LESSON. 


C.  Grace  Jerolamen. 


Written  expressly  for  this  book. 


LET'S  play  school,  kitty,  you  and  I, 
Right  here  in  papa's  study ; 
You  can  sit  there  in  papa's  chair, 
If  your  feet  aren't  muddy. 

First,  you  must  say  your  morning  prayers, 
Now  bow  your  head,  like  I  do. 
And  now  we'll  sing  the  little  song, 
"Good  morning,  sunshine  to  you." 

Of  course,  you  must  learn  how  to  write, 
Then  you  can  write  to  Rover, 
A  is  like  this,  and  B  like  that, 
Oh,  dear !  the  ink's  tipped  over ! 

We'll  have  the  reading-lesson  next, 
Out  of  this  book  so  pretty. 
I'll  read  you  'bout  a  little  mouse — 
You've  torn  the  book, — bad  kitty ! 

You  want  to  play  just  all  the  time, 
You  lazy  little  sinner! 
There   goes   the  bell   now,   run   away, 
I  guess  it's  time  for  dinner ! 


Ques. — What  is  the  difference  between  a  cat  and  a  camel? 

Ans. — When  a  cat  gets  mad  she  gets  her  back  up,  but  the  camel 
simply  humps  himself. 

Ques. — Why  is  a  cat  going  up  three  pairs  of  stairs  like  a  high 
hill? 

Ans. — Because  she's  a-mountin'. 


CATS  AND  KITTENS,  221 

THE  SCARUM  CAT. 


Mary  Elizabeth  Stone. 


PRECIOUS  dolly  Dorothy, 
I've  been  having  trouble, 
And  the  weight  of  anxiousness 

Nearly  bent  me  double; 
For  I  saw  the  Scarum  cat, 

In  the  slumber  pillows, 
Creeping,  creeping  toward  me 
Through  the  bending  willows. 

Oh,  my  dolly  Dorothy, 

I  was  frightened,  frightened ! 

For  the  clouds  were  very  dark, 

And  it  lightened,  lightened ! 
And  the  creeping  Scarum  cat, 

Coming  through  the  willows, 
Made  my  heart  go  pit-a-pat, 

In  the  slumber  pillows. 

And  I  wanted  to  cry  out, 

But,  oh  dear,  I  couldn't! 
And  I  hoped  the  cat  would  turn, 

But,  oh  dear,  it  wouldn't ! 
And  I  tried  to  run  away, 

But  could  not  leave  the  willows, 
And  the  creeping  Scarum  cat, 

In  the  slumber  pillows. 

Then,  my  dolly  Dorothy, 

I  was  nearly  frantic, 
When  a  foamy  wave  came  up 

From  the  big  Atlantic — 


222  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

Caught  me  from  the  Scarum  cat, 
Among  the  bending  willows, 

And  dropped  me  in  my  little  bed, 
And  woke  me — on  the  pillows. 

Mamma  said,  though  dreams  are  dread 

They  vanish  like  a  bubble ; 
"But,"  said  she,  "a  simple  tea 

Would  save  you  such  a  trouble. 
If  you  eat  just  bread  and  milk, 

You  will  not  see  the  willows, 
And  the  creeping  Scarum  cat, 

In  the  slumber  pillows." 


THE  TROLL  CAT. 


[The  cat  appears  in  many  of  the  weird  tales  and  popular  songs  of  the 
Northern  nations.     A  characteristic  legend  is  the  following.] 

Hot  du  Plat 

Sag  til  den  Kat 

At  Knurremurre  er  dod. 

Knurremurre  rules  with  a  will 
All  the  trolls  in  Brondhoi  Hill ; 
Throughout  all  Zealand  has  it  rung — 
The  fame  of  Knurremurre's  tongue. 
One  young  troll  got  tired  of  the  worry. 
"I'll  away,"  said  he, 
"To  company 
More  pleasant  than  Knurremurre." 

"Wife,  what's  scratching  at  the  door 

On  this  cold  winter  night  ?" 
The  gales  through  the  snow-heaped  forests  roar, 
And  the  hut-fire  is  burning  bright. 
"Open  the  door,  good  wife,"  says  Plat. 
In  walks  a  stately,  whiskered  cat. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  223 

He  sits  by  the  fire  and  dries  his  fur, 
And  purrs  his  thanks  with  a  loud,  long  purr, 
And  eats  his  grout,  and  washes  his  face, 
And  makes  himself  at  home  in  the  place. 

Weeks  pass  on,  a  good  cat  he ; 
He  is  quite  one  of  the  family ; 

For  the  kindly  wife  of  Plat, 
In  her  wooden  hut  by  the  northern  sea, 

Has  a  poet's  love  for  a  cat. 

'Tis  night;  the  cat  by  the  hearth-fire  lies, 
Purring  and  dozing,  with  blinking  eyes ; 
When  Plat  comes  in  and  says, — 

"Good  wife ! 
What  strange  things  happen  in  one's  life! 

I  saw  a  sight 

As  I  came  to-night 

By  Brondhoi  Hill, 

Wrhere  all  was  still, 
Save  the  trolls  who  hammered  below  with  a  will. 

Out  jumps  in  my  way 

A  man  old  and  gray, 

And  squeaking  he  said, — 

'Hearken,  Plat! 

Tell  your  cat 
That  Knurremurre  is  dead.' " 


Up  jumped  the  cat  from  the  hearth-fire  side— 
'Ho !    Knurremurre  dead !"  he  cried. 

"Now  I  may  go  home,  I  ween." 
And  out  he  scampered  with  a  will, 
Out  through  the  night  to  Brondhoi  Hill, 

,Aji(i  nevermore  was  seen, 


224  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

CATS. 


Essay  or  Address. 


Stanley  Schell. 


IN  all  the  varied  world  of  animals,  three  only  are  universally 
the  inmates  of  our  homes,  the  companions  of  our  firesides — 
the  cat,  the  bird,  and  the  dog.  The  cat,  especially,  is  the  friend 
of  our  early  childhood ;  the  purr  of  the  cat  blends  with  the  voices 
of  the  children  and  the  ticking  of  the  clock;  it  is  the  music  of 
repose,  the  veritable  "Home,  Sweet  Home"  that  haunts  the  wan- 
derer on  far-off  shores. 

A  tenderness  toward  the  animal  creation  is  always  character- 
istic'of  noble,  generous  and  intellectual  souls;  and  it  is  well 
known  that  our  most  intellectual  people  are  most  tender-hearted 
toward  beings  helpless  and  inferior  to  themselves,  and  they  love 
with  a  child-like  love  the  cat,  whose  image  is  associated  with 
the  sweetness  and  tenderness  of  the  child's  world  of  happiness — 
the  home. 

The  most  noted  persons  in  every  profession  have  been  domestic 
cat  lovers,  particularly  authors  and  poets.  Such  men  as  Pope 
Gregory,  Mahomet,  Petrarch,  Tasso,  Cardinal  Woolsey,  Ad- 
miral Doria,  Gladstone.  Montaigne,  Swinburne,  Watson,  Matthew 
Arnold.  Dickens,  Southey,  Cooper,  Hugo,  Merimee,  Sante  Beuve, 
Baudelaire,  Gauthier,  Pierre  Loti,  Hoffman,  Scheffel,  Lord  Ches- 
terfield, Jeremy  Bentham,  Doctor  Johnson,  Fielding,  Lincoln,  etc., 
were  all  cat  lovers  and  worshippers,  and  many  of  them  immor- 
talized the  cat  in  rhyme  or  in  prose. 

The  Cat  Family  is  a  large  one,  and  to  it  belong : 

Tiger,  Puma, 

Lion,  Jaguar, 

Leopard,  Clouded  Tiger, 

Ounce,  Thibet  Tiger  Cat, 


From  Painting  by  Frank  Paton. 


Puss  in  Boots. 


ITTUc  MISCHKF  MAK^R 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


225 


Fontanel's  Cat, 

Golden  Cat, 

Fishing  Cat, 

Bengalese  Cat, 

Wagate, 

Marbled  Tiger  Cat, 

Serval, 

Golden-haired  Cat, 

Gray  African  Cat, 

Servaline  Cat, 

Ocelot, 

Margay, 

Geoffroy's  Cat, 

Ocelot-like  Cat, 

Yaguarundi  ( Brazil ) , 

Eyra, 

Colocolo, 

Rusty  Spotted  Cat, 

Chinese  Cat, 

Small  Cat, 


Jerdon's  Cat, 
Java  Cat, 
Small-eared  Cat, 
Large-eared  Cat, 
Flat-headed  Cat, 
Bornean  Bay  Cat, 
Egyptian  Cat, 
Wild  Cat, 
Indian  Wild  Cat, 
Common  Jungle  Cat, 
Ornate  Jungle  Cat, 
Steppe  Cat, 
Shaw's  Cat, 
Manul, 

Straw  or  Pampas  Cat, 
Northern  Lynx, 
Pardine  Lynx, 
Carcal, 
Cheetah, 
Domestic  Cat. 


Considering  the  Cat  Family  as  a  whole,  there  is  probably  no 
other  animal  so  well  equipped  for  the  battle  of  life. 

Cats  are  carnivorous,  preferring  to  discover  and  kill  their  own 
prey.  Cats  are  ferocious  and  sanguinary,  loving  retirement ; 
moving  with  concealment  and  stealth ;  always  fighting  desperately 
when  injured,  or  when  escape  is  no  longer  possible.  All  cats 
climb  with  ease,  except  the  tiger  and  the  lion.  So  persistent  are 
the  characters  both  of  body  and  mind  in  the  Cat  Family,  that, 
in  spite  of  thirty-five  centuries  or  more  of  domestication,  the 
household  cat  to-day  preserves  far  more  of  its  ancestral  traits 
than  any  other  of  the  four-footed  associates  of  man. 

Cats  are  found  all  over  the  world  except  in  the  Australian 
region,  in  Madagascar,  and  the  West  Indies.  They  are  mainly 
tropical  and  heat-loving,  although  a  few  species  range  far 
to  the  north,  as  the  tiger  in  Asia  and  the  puma  in  America, 


226  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

The  short-tailed  lynxes  also  predominate  in  the  northern 
regions. 

The  first  real  evidence  of  cats  in  connection  with  man  is  to  be 
found  in  the  ancient  monuments  of  Egypt,  Babylon,  and  Nine- 
veh. Cats  are  mentioned  in  inscriptions  as  early  as  1684  B.C., 
and  they  were  certainly  domesticated  in  Egypt  1300  years  before 
Christ. 

The  earliest  known  representation  of  the  cat  as  a  domestic  ani- 
mal and  pet  is  at  Leyden,  in  a  tablet  of  the  18th  or  19th  Dynasty. 

In  ancient  Egypt,  the  cat  was  an  object  of  religious  worship  and 
a  venerated  inmate  of  certain  temples.  The  Goddess  of  Pasht  or 
Bubastis,  the  goddess  of  cats,  was,  under  the  Roman  Empire, 
represented  with  a  cat's  head.  A  temple  at  Beni-Hassan,  dedi- 
cated to  her,  belongs  to  the  18th  Dynasty  (1500  B.C.).  Behind 
this  temple  are  pits  containing  a  multitude  of  cat  mummies. 

The  cat  was  also  worshipped  in  the  Temple  of  the  Sun  at 
Heliopolis,  as  the  Egyptians  deemed  the  cat  an  emblem  of  the 
sun,  because  its  eyes  were  supposed  to  vary  in  appearance  with 
the  course  of  the  sun,  and  for  a  similar  reason  the  cat  was  deemed 
sacred  to  the  moon,  because  it  would  undergo  a  change  each 
lunar  month,  and  because  of  the  waxing  and  waning  of  its 
pupils. 

Among  the  Greeks  the  cats  became  common  pets  at  the  period 
when  Athens  represented  the  civilization  of  the  world ;  and,  later, 
in  the  Grasco-Italian  civilization  of  Herculaneum  and  Pompeii  in 
the  south  of  Italy,  and  in  the  period  of  Roman  supremacy,  it  was 
a  well-known  pet  of  courts  and  ladies'  boudoirs. 

During  the  Middle  Ages,  cats  were  very  scarce  and  valuable, 
and  persons  owning  cats  were  heavily  taxed. 

The  cat  has  also  had  its  detractors,  and  shortly  after  the  Mid- 
dle Ages  cats  were  looked  upon  as  symbols  of  witchcraft  and 
deviltry  of  all  kinds,  and  were  even  burned  at  the  stake  as  sor- 
cerers and  savants. 

In  Paris,  every  St.  John's  Day,  a  number  of  cats  were  heaped 
up  in  baskets  and  bags  in  the  Place  de  Greve,  and  the  sovereign 
himself  always  set  fire  to  the  pile.    This  practice  continued  down 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  227 

to  Louis  XIV.,  who  was  the  last  King  of  France  to  do  so  cruel 
an  act. 

Gipsies  have  always  feared  the  black  cat  and  have  greatly 
loved  the  white  cat. 

Shakespeare  rarely  alludes  to  cats,  except  in  an  uncompli- 
mentary way. 

The  domestication  of  cats  was  gradual  and  continuous. 

The  origin  of  our  domestic  cat  is  undoubtedly  the  wild  cat  of 
Egypt  and  the  American  wild  cat.  And  such  origin  is  of  very 
ancient  date. 

To-day  the  classification  of  our  domestic  cat  is  into  two  great 
classes:  (1)  The  Long-haired  or  Angora  Cat  (Asiatic  or  East- 
ern in  origin),  consisting  of  the  Persian,  Russian,  Chinese,  and 
Indian  Cats;  (2)  the  Short-haired  Cat  (European  and  Western), 
consisting  of  the  Tortoise  Shell,  Tortoise  Shell  and  White,  Tab- 
bies— banded  and  spotted,  brown,  spotted,  blue  and  silver,  red, 
white,  blue  (Maltese  in  America),  black  and  white,  Royal  cat  of 
Siam,  Manx. 


DING,  DONG,  BELL. 


DING,  DONG,  BELL, 
Pussy's  in  the  well ! 
Who  put  her  in? 
Little  Tommy  Lin. 
Who  pulled  her  out? 
Little  Johnny  Stout. 
What  a  naughty  boy  was  that 
To  drown  the  poor  pussy-cat, 
Who  never  did  him  any  harm, 
But  killed  the  mice  in  his  father's  barn. 


There  was  an  old  cat,  and  a  black  cat,  too, 
She  had  so  many  children  she  didn't  know  what  to  do; 
To  save  them  from  fighting  and  scratching  and  bawling, 
She  pinned  them  all  up  by  their  ears  when  out  calling. 


228  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 


THE  CAT  OF  HINDUSTAN. 


WHERE  mighty  Ganges  rolls  in  foam 
Down-sweeping  to  the  Indian  Sea, 
Grimalkin  Long-Ears  made  her  home; 
Lover  of  birds  (to  eat )  was  she, 
Wise  and  astute  as  cat  can  be. 

There  was  a  hill  named  Vulture-Fort, 
Great  vulture  nests  filled  all  the  space; 

There  did  the  little  birdlings  sport. 

And  chirp  and  hop  with  binding  grace ; 
To  puss  a  most  attractive  place. 

She  crept  along  paw  after  paw, 

Like  velvet  dropping  soft  and  light ; 

She  munched  the  small  birds  with  no  awe 
Of  Justice  ; — sudden — what  a  sight ! 
Her  fur  stood  upright  with  affright. 

The  mightiest  vulture  of  them  all — 

Jaradgabah — his  shadow  cast 
Upon  her !  see  him,  black  and  tall ! 

Well  might  Grimalkin's  heart  beat  fast. 

She  thought,  "My  hour  is  come  at  last! 

"Swiftness  and  strength  avail  not  me, 
I  cannot  fly,  nor  fight  this  bird ; 
I'll  try  my  wits  with  flattery." 

She  smoothed  her  fur  and  gently  purred — 
The  vulture  understood  each  word. 

"Hearken  to  me,  the  wisest  cat 

That  in  all  Hindustan  you'll  meet; 
Temperate  and  good ;  no  lean  nor  fat, 


CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Nor  fish,  nor  flesh,  I  ever  eat; 
Grass  only  is  my  diet  sweet. 

"All  men  the  stranger's  rights  revere, 
And  hospitality  afford ; 
Even  foes  may  come,  and  with  no  fear 
Sit  unmolested  at  our  board ; 
To  all,  food,  shelter,  we  accord. 

"Straw,  water,  earth,  and  pleasant  words 
The  good  man's  house  will  aye  contain; 
Shall  I  seek  from  you,  king  of  birds, 
Kind  hospitality  in  vain? 
Then  would  all  Hindustan  complain." 

The  end  was  this :  her  whisking  tail 

And  specious  purr  were  not  withstood; 

The  vulture's  wrath  began  to  fail; 
Surely  this  pleasing  creature  should 
Be  wise,  be  pious,  be  most  good. 

He  asked  her  in ; — O  with  good  cause 
The  happiest  cat  by  Ganges'  foam ! 

She  winked  her  eyes  and  licked  her  paws; 
Soon  he  went  forth  awhile  to  roam ; 
She  ate  the  small  birds  and  went  home. 

The  mothers  came  at  eve ;  no  sound 
Of  joyous  chirping  filled  the  air, 

But  claws  and  feathers  strewed  the  ground, 
And  in  the  midst,  in  blank  despair, 
Jaradgabah  sat  brooding  there. 

"Jaradgabah !"  shrieked  every  one — 
'"Tis  he  who  has  in  frenzy  slain 
Our  darling  broods!     Be  justice  done!" 
The  poor  bird  had  no  time  to  explain; 
They  seized  him,  rent  his  neck  in  twain. 


230  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

When  you  your  bosom's  love  would  mate 
With  strangers,  be  not  prudence  mute; 

Think  of  Jaradgabah's  hard  fate ; 
His  trusting  nature  bore  sad  fruit. 
Grimalkin  Lon^-Ears  was  astute. 


THE  DEAD   CANARY. 


Characters  :    Elsie,  George,  and  James. 

Stage  Setting  :     Home  interior. 

Scene  :     George  and  James  are  sitting  at  table  reading  books. 

[Enter  Elsie.] 

Elsie.    O  dear !  O  dear !    It's  gone — killed — eaten  up !  O  dear ! 

0  dear!     [Wringing  hands.] 

George  [looking,  up  from  book].  What  is  the  matter,  Elsie? 
What  is  gone? 

Elsie  [ sorrowfully] .  My  dear,  clear  bird — my  canary  that  you 
gave  me. 

George    [sympathetically].      Yon   don't   say   so!     How   sorry 

1  am ! 

James  [looking  on  and  deeply  interested].  What  killed  it, 
Elsie? 

Elsie.    The  cat. 

George  [angrily].    How  cruel!  how  wicked!    I'll  shoot  her! 

James  [surprised].    For  what? 

George.     Why,  for  killing  the  bird. 

James.  For  killing  one  bird?  What  should  be  done  with  you, 
who  have  killed  so  many  birds — all  as  beautiful  as  the  canary  ? 

George  [indignantly] .    Why,  I  am  not  a  cat ! 

James  [earnestly,  yet  zvith  determined  voice].  No;  but  you 
are  far  more  responsible  than  a  cat.  who  is  governed  only  by  in- 
stinct, and  kills  a  bird  for  food,  not  for  sport,  as  you  do. 

George  [sarcastically] .    Well,  this  is  being  decidedly  personal. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  231 

James.  It  is  simply  calling  things  by  their  right  names.  Elsie, 
what  do  you  think  George  has  spent  his  whole  day  for?  Just 
to  catch  and  shoot  a  poor  little  wren.  Late  this  afternoon  he 
succeeded  in  fetching  her  down,  and  that  leaves  four  poor  little 
baby  wrens  in  the  nest  to  starve  and  die. 

Elsie  [shaking  finger  sorrowfully  at  George].  Bad,  wicked 
George !  I'll  not  speak  to  you  again  for  a  week.  You  and  that 
kitty-cat  are  two  murderers  of  birds,  and  should  be  shut  up  in 
the  cellar  together. 

[Exit  Elsie.] 

George  [shrugging  shoulders,  gets  up,  shoves  hands  into  pock- 
ets, and  moves  about  room  restlessly].  What  a  great  fuss  about 
a  bird ! 

James  [indignant].  Fuss?  Why  should  you  not  apply  the 
same  rule  to  yourself  that  you  would  apply  to  a  cat  ?  The  equity 
of  the  case  is  against  you,  George.  You  claim  the  right  to  kill, 
yet  deny  that  right  even  to  a  cat !  The  law  of  usage  is  your  only 
excuse,  and  it  is  a  very  poor  defence  at  best ;  it  is  one  law  for  the 
powerful  and  another  for  the  weak.  You  should  be  too  just  to  use 
it.     [Rises  and  stands  leaning  on  table.] 

George  [leaning  against  a  chair].  Your  logic  is  very  good, 
James ;  but  I  would  like  to  shoot  that  cat,  for — for - 

James.  For  doing  just  what  you  have  done  so  many  times. 
[Crosses  to  brother.] 

George  [stammering  and  looking  ashamed].  Well,  I'll — I'll ■ 

James  [looking  at  him  with  pleading  eyes] .    What? 

George  [locking  into  James's  face  zvith  a  more  open  face]. 
I  think  I  shall  have  to  own  that  I  have  been  in  the  wrong,  and  I 
promise  never  to  shoot  again  in  mere  sport.  [They  shake  hands 
earnestly  and  gladly.] 

James.  That's  a  noble  resolve,  George.  As  to  Elsie,  I'm  sure 
she'll  forgive  you  when  she  learns  of  your  resolve;  but  mind — « 
no  mental  reservations  about  that  cat,  or 

George  [smiling] .    Or  what  ? 

James  [patting  George  on  shoulder  as  both  move  to  leave 
room] .    Why,  a  cat-astrophe  will  be  sure  to  follow. 


92t  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


GRAY'S  ELEGY  ON  HORACE  WALPOLE'S  CAT. 


Drowned  in  a  Tub  of  Goldfishes. 


?  'Tp  WAS  on  a  lofty  base's  side, 

1        Where  China's  gayest  art  had  dyed 
The  azure  flowers  that  blow ; 

Demurest  of  the  tabby  kind, 

The  pensive  Selina  reclined, 
Gazed  on  the  lake  below. 

Her  conscious  tail  her  joy  declared ; 
The  fair,  round  face,  the  snowy  beard, 

The  velvet  of  her  paws, 
Her  coat  that  with  the  tortoise  vies, 
Her  ears  of  jet,  and  emerald  eyes, 

She  saw.  and  purred  applause. 

Still  had  she  gazed ;  but  'midst  the  tide 
Two  angel  forms  were  seen  to  glide, 

The  genii  of  the  stream  : 
Their  scaly  armor's  Tyrian  hue 
Through  richest  purple  to  the  view 

Betrayed  a  golden  gleam. 

The  hapless  nymph  with  wonder  saw: 
A  whisker  first,  and  then  a  claw ; 

Writh  many  an  ardent  wish, 
She  stretched  in  vain  to  reach  the  prize. 
What  female  heart  can  gold  despise? 

What  cat  is  averse  to  fish  ? 

Presumptuous  maid  !  with  looks  intent 
Again  she  stretched,  again  she  bent, 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  233 

Nor  knew  the  gulf  between. 
(Malignant  Fate  sat  by  and  smiled) 
The  slippery  verge  her  feet  beguiled, 

She  tumbled  headlong  in. 

Eight  times  emerging  from  the  flood, 
She  mewed  to  every  watery  god 

Some  speedy  aid  to  send. 
No  dolphin  came,  no  Nereid  stirred; 
Nor  cruel  Tom,  nor  Susan  heard: 

A  favorite  has  no  friend. 

From  hence,  ye  beauties  undeceived ; 
Know,  one  false  step  is  ne'er  retrieved, 

And  be  with  caution  bold. 
Not  all  that  tempts  your  wandering  eyes 
And  heedless  hearts  is  lawful  prize, 

Nor  all  that  glistens  gold. 


NAUGHTY  PUSSY. 


OH,  Miss  Pussy — Pussy-Cat, 
Naughty  pussy,  what  is  that? 
A  little  chicken — pretty  thing! 
There  it  hangs  with  broken  wing ! 

Blackie  says  it's  very  sad ; 
Fluffy  thinks  it's  just  as  bad; 
Brownie  lifts  his  paws  up  so, 
Says :  "Oh,  pussy — bow,  bow,  wow." 


WISDOM. 


OUR  kitty  found  a  wasp  to-day, 
And  with  it  thought  that  she  would  play; 
Alas,  she  found  that  pretty  things 
Too  often  carry  nasty  stings ! 
"Oh,  dear !"  cried  kitty,  with  a  wail, 
'I'll  play  in  future  with  my  tail !" 


234  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


REVENGE  FOR  POISONING  A  CAT. 


A  FRENCH  lady  by  the  name  of  Mme.  de  Bientruffe,  whose 
departed  husband  had  left  her  enough  money  to  live  com- 
fortably the  rest  of  her  life,  lived  in  quiet  and  happiness  until  her 
jealous  neighbors  began  to  envy  her  good  luck,  and  wrongly  to 
gossip  about  her.  Among  her  most  implacable  enemies  was  a  cer- 
tain Mme.  Galuchard,  who  burned  with  an  almost  Carthaginian  ha- 
tred, which  included  not  only  Mme.  de  Bientruffe,  but  also  her  gray 
Angora  cat,  called  Minouchon.  Mme.  Galuchard  vowed  inces- 
santly with  set  teeth  that  some  day  or  other  she  would  cook  their 
soup  for  them.  The  piano  on  which  her  old  neighbor  sometimes 
played  threw  her  into  fits  of  mad  rage,  which  were  accentuated 
only  bv  the  mewing  of  the  cat.  She  had  already  several  times 
demanded  the  execution  of  the  animal,  and  every  time  the  poor 
old  lady  had  formally  refused-to  comply  with  the  demand,  denying 
the  charge  that  her  pet  attracted  ail  the  tomcats  of  the  neighbor- 
hood. Not  being  able  to  encompass  by  open  means  the  revenge 
which  she  desired,  Mme.  Galuchard  resolved  to  accomplish  it  by 
force,  and  by  means  of  the  darkest  machinations. 

One  day — entirely  by  chance,  of  course — a  piece  of  bread  crust, 
soaked  in  milk  saturated  with  arsenic,  was  thrown  in  the  way 
of  the  innocent  Minouchon,  who  was  wandering  over  the  stairs, 
and,  incapable  of  suspecting  the  perfidiousness  of  the  human  race, 
she  thought  she  had  found  a  tidbit,  and  hastened  to  sample  it. 

Alas !  An  hour  later  she  died  in  fearful  agony,  and  her  little 
white  Angora  soul  soared  straight  to  the  regions  where  there 
is  no  pain,  and  the  remembrance  of  the  misery  of  this  world  is 
effaced  and  vanishes  in  the  vibrating  splendor  of  the  sky. 

Her  mistress  mourned  her  as  if  she  had  been  a  human  being. 
She  had  a  handsome  wooden  box  made,  and  painted  white,  in 
which  she  placed  her  idolized  companion,  with  a  new  ribbon 
round  her  neck,  and  had  her  secretly  buried  in  a  corner  of  the 
nearest  park. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  235 

When  these  sacl  duties  were  accomplished  she  had  only  one 
thought — how  to  punish  the  monster  who  had  killed  her  pet. 

Her  suspicions  soon  fell  on  the  repulsive  Mme.  Galuchard,  who 
appeared  to  be  puffed  up  with  satisfaction  over  some  insolent 
and  cruel  victory.  Unfortunately,  the  latter  had  no  pet  animal 
through  her  love  of  which  she  might  be  hit ;  besides,  Mme.  de 
Bientruffe  was  too  good-hearted  to  avenge  the  death  of  one  inno- 
cent being  by  killing  or  injuring  another. 

If  she  thought  over  her  plan  for  a  long  time,  and  at  last  fan- 
cied that  she  had  found  a  punishment  equal  to  the  crime,  she 
gave  no  sign  that  such  was  the  case.  The  only  thing  to  be 
noticed  was  that  she  bought  one  day  a  dozen  traps — rat  traps 
and  mouse  traps — which  she  caused  to  be  set  in  her  apartments. 
But  then,  since  the  assassination  of  the  poor  Angora  cat  had  left 
the  rodent  tribe  the  freedom  of  the  house,  it  was,  of  course, 
necessary  for  her  to  combat  the  animals,  and  the  neighbors  did 
not  trouble  themselves  about  it,  Mme.  Galuchard  least  of  all. 

A  week  later,  however,  when  the  latter  was  at  home,  and  busy 
thinking  what  new  injury  she  could  do  Mme.  de  Bientruffe,  a 
uniformed  messenger  brought  her  a  large  box,  and  withdrew, 
saying  that  it  was  paid  for.  Thinking  that  she  would  find  some 
beautiful  gift — a  shawl,  a  boa,  perhaps  a  gown — Mme.  Galuchard 
hastened  to  open  the  box. 

Horrors!  Hardly  had  she  lifted  the  cover  before  a  swarm 
of  little  gray  animals,  leaping,  jumping,  bounding,  and  giving 
piercing  squeals,  dashed  across  the  room  and  crowded  together 
in  the  corners,  leaving  the  paralyzed  woman  half  dead  with  fright. 
At  the  bottom  of  the  box  was  a  note  signed  by  Mme.  de  Bien- 
truffe : 

"Madame :  You  killed  my  cat  by  giving  him  arsenic.  As  this 
kindness  deserves  another,  I  make  you  a  present  of  my  mice." 


Ones. — What  proves  a  minister  to  be  the  most  affectionate  of 
men  ? 

Ans, — In  every  church  you  will  find  a  eatechist  (cat  he  kissed). 


336  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

THE  RETIRED  CAT. 


William  Cowper. 


A  POET'S  cat,  sedate  and  grave 
As  poet  well  could  wish  to  have, 
Was  much  addicted  to  inquife 
For  nooks  to  which  she  might  retire, 
And  where,  secure  as  mouse  in  chink, 
She  might  repose,  or  sit  and  think. 
I  know  not  where  she  caught  the  trick — 

Nature,  perhaps,  herself  had  cast  her 
In  such  a  mould  philosophique, 

Or  else  she  learned  it  of  her  master. 
Sometimes  ascending  debonair 
An  apple-tree  or  lofty  pear, 
Lodged  with  convenience  in  the  fork, 
She  watched  the  gardener  at  his  work; 
Sometimes  her  ease  and  solace  sought 
In  an  old  empty  watering-pot ; 
There  wanting  nothing  but  a  fan 
To  seem  some  nymph  in  her  sedan, 
Apparelled  in  exactest  sort, 
And  ready  to  be  borne  to  court. 

But  love  of  change,  it  seems,  has  place 

Not  only  in  our  wiser  race ; 

Cats  also  feel  as  well  as  we 

That  passion's  force,  and  so  did  she. 

Her  climbing,  she  began  to  find, 

Exposed  her  too  much  to  the  wind, 

And  the  old  utensil  of  tin 

Was  cold  and  comfortless  within ; 

She  therefore  wished,  instead  of  those, 

Some  place  of  more  serene  repose, 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  237 

Where  neither  cold  might  come,  nor  air 
Too  rudely  wanton  with  her  hair, 
And  sought  it  in  the  likeliest  mode 
Within  her  master's  snug  abode. 

A  drawer  it  chanced,  at  bottom  lined 

With  linen  of  the  softest  kind ; 

With  such  as  merchant*  introduce 

From  India,  for  the  ladies'  use. 

A  drawer  impending  o'er  the  rest, 

Half  open  in  the  topmost  chest, 

Of  depth  enough,  and  none  to  spare, 

Invited  her  to  slumber  there. 

Puss,  with  delight  beyond  expression, 

Surveyed  the  scene,  and  took  possession. 

Recumbent  at  her  ease,  ere  long, 

And  lulled  by  her  own  humdrum  song, 

She  left  the  cares  of  life  behind, 

And  slept  as  she  would  sleep  her  last; 
When  in  came,  housewifely  inclined, 

The  chambermaid,  and  shut  it  fast; 
By  no  malignity  impelled, 
But  all  unconscious  whom  it  held. 

Awakened  by  the  shock   (cried  Puss) 

"Was  ever  cat  attended  thus? 

The  open  drawer  was  left,  I  see, 

Merely  to  prove  a  nest  for  me ; 

For  soon  as  I  was  well  composed, 

Then   came   the   maid,   and   it   was   closed. 

How  smooth  these  kerchiefs,  and  how  sweet! 

Oh;  what  a  delicate  retreat ! 

I  will    resign  myself  to  rest, 

Till  Sol,  declining  in  the  west, 

Shall  call  to  supper,  when,  no  doubt, 

Susan  will  come  and  let  me  out." 


238  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

The  evening;  came,  the  sun  descended, 
And  Puss  remained  still  unattended. 
The  night  rolled  tardily  away — 
(With  hef,  indeed,  'twas  never  day)  ; 
The  sprightly  morn  her  course  renewed, 
The  evening  gray  again  ensued, 
And  Puss  came  into  mind  no  more 
Than  if  entombed  the  da*y  before. 
With  hunger  pinched,  and  pinched  for  room, 
She  now  presaged  approaching  doom, 
Nor  slept  a  single  wink,  nor  purred, 
Conscious  of  jeopardy  incurred. 


That  night,  by  chance,  the  poet  watching, 

Heard  an  inexplicable  scratching; 

His  noble  heart  went  pit-a-pat, 

And  to  himself  he  said  "What's  that?" 

He  drew  the  curtain  at  his  side, 

And  forth  he  peeped,  but  nothing  spied ; 

Yet,  by  his  ear  directed,  guessed 

Something  imprisoned  in  the  chest ; 

And  doubtful  what,  with  prudent  care 

Resolved  it  should  continue  there. 

At  length  a  voice,  which  well  he  knew, 

A  long  and  melancholy  mew, 

Saluting  his  poetic  ears, 

Consoled  him  and  dispelled  his  fears. 

Pie  left  his  bed,  he  trod  the  floor, 

He  'gan  in  haste  the  drawers  explore; 

The  lowest  first,  and  without  stop 

The  rest  in  order  to  the  top. 

For  'tis  a  truth  well  known  to  most, 

That  whatsoever  thing  is  lost, 

We  seek  it,  ere  it  come  to  light, 

In  every  cranny  but  the  right. 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  239 

Forth  skipped  the  cat,  not  now  replete 

As  erst  with  any  self-conceit, 

And  in  her  own  fond  apprehension 

A  theme  for  all  the  world's  attention ; 

But  modest,  sober,  cured  of  all 

Her  notions  hyperbolical ; 

And  wishing,  for  a  place  to  rest, 

Anything  rather  than  a  chest. 

Then  stept  the  poet  into  bed 

With  this  reflection  in  his  head : 

Beware  of  too  sublime  a  sense 
Of  your  own  worth  and  consequence.   < 
The  man  who  dreams  himself  so  great, 
And  his  importance  of  such  weight, 
That  all  around  in  all  that's  done 
Must  move  and  act  for  him  alone, 
Will  learn  in  school  of  tribulation 
The  folly  of  his  expectation. 


A  STRANGE  MOUSE. 


A 


S  in  the  nursery  Mrs.  Puss  was  looking  out  for  mice, 

She  threw  a  glance  upon  the  shelf  and  there  saw  something 
nice. 


A  little  mouse  among  the  toys  was  standing  very  still. 

"I'll  catch  that  mouse,"  said  Mrs.  Puss,  "most  certainly  I  will." 

Then  crouching  down  before  the  shelf,  her  instinct  to  obey, 
She  made  a  sudden  upward  spring  and  pounced  upon  her  prey. 

But  what  was  this?    In  sudden  fear  her  claws  let  go  their  hold 
At  coming  into  contact  with  a  substance  hard  and  cold. 

Then  frightened  Airs.   Puss  turned  tail  and  fled  from  out  the 

house, 
While  still  her  prey  remained  unmoved — he  was  a  clockwork 
r        nmise! 


240  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 


HOW  TO  FEED  AND  CARE  FOR  CATS. 


Stanley  Schell. 


THE  cat  is  instinctively  a  cleanly  animal,  and,  when  housed, 
should  be  provided  with  every  means  to  keep  herself  clean. 
Articles  necessary  for  a  cat  are: 

1.  A  flat,  galvanized  pan  or  box,  with  clean  sand,  earth  or  saw- 

dust. 

2.  Clean  box  or  basket,  filled  with  clean  straw,  excelsior,  or  tissue 

paper,  in  summer;  cut-up  (waste)  paper  from  printer  or 
binder,  or  a  large,  soft  flannel  blanket  in  winter.  This  basket 
should  be  kept  in  the  sunlight. 

3.  Absolutely  clean  dishes  for  food. 

Brush  the  cat  daily  with  a  soft  hair-brush  or  with  a  bath- 
mitten. 

To  wash  a  cat  (which  should  be  done  every  week)  prepare  a 
dish  of  good,  rather  thick  soft  soap,  and  have  ready  two  foot-tubs 
of  tepid  water.  If  you  have  a  small  bath-tub,  place  a  towel  in 
bottom  of  tub,  stand  cat  on  hind  legs  in  tub  and  let  her  front  legs 
rest  on  edge  of  tub.  Hold  her  by  the  neck  or  collar  with  one 
hand,  and,  talking  to  her  nicely,  begin  rubbing  in  gently  but 
thoroughly  the  soft  soap,  beginning  at  the  hind  quarters  and  tail 
and  gradually  working  up  toward  the  ears.  When  soap  is  well 
applied,  move  soap-bowl  aside  and  dip  your  free  hand  in  one 
'dish  of  tepid  water  and  gently  apply  water  to  lower  part  of  cat's 
body,  and  so  on  up  the  body  until  all  the  tepid  water  in  this  bowl 
has  been  used ;  then  use  second  dish  of  tepid  water  to  rinse  cat, 
using,  as  before,  a  little  at  a  time. 

When  cat  is  thoroughly  cleaned,  wrap  her  in  a  clean  turkish 
towel  and  gently  pat  her  so  as  to  dry  her  as  much  as  possible. 
Remove  towel  and  wrap  cat  in  a  warm  flannel  blanket  and  gently 
rub  towel  over  her  body  to  dry  her  still  more;  then  put  her  into 
her  basket  and  let  her  finish  the  drying  for  herself. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  241 

If  you  are  afraid  to  wash  your  cat,  you  can  clean  her  by  rub- 
bing her  with  olive  or  cocoanut  oil,  or  with  cream ;  then,  after 
partly  drying  her,  put  her  into  her  basket  to  do  the  rest. 
Some  of  the  articles  of  food  good  for  a  cat  are : 
Fresh  milk, 

Sour  milk  (in  case  of  worms), 
Fresh  water  daily, 
Oatmeal  porridge, 

Bread,  crackers,  or  oatmeal  biscuit,  soaked  in  milk, 
Asparagus,  celery,  string  beans,  etc.,  occasionally, 
Raw  mutton,  except  on  day  you  give  her  liver  (which  should 
be  given  at  least  once  in  ten  days),  or  on  day  you  give  her 
fish  (which  should  be  once  a  week). 
Add  boiled  rice  to  the  milk  if  cat  has  diarrhoea. 
Whenever  a  cat  is  sick,  if  possible  learn  and  remove  cause;  if 
not  possible,  give  her  one  of  the  following : 
Castor  oil, 
Grass, 
Catnip, 
Flowers  of  sulphur,  or  baking  soda  in  milk. 


A  COMPOSITE  CAT. 


Maria  J.  Hammond. 


"\  A  7E  took  our  pussy's  photograph,  then  one  of  a  neighbor's 

And  then  a  third,  and  then  a  fourth — a  dozen  pussies  sat. 

And  then  we  took  the  photograph  of  every  photograph. 

Oh,  that  is  often  done,  you  know ;  indeed,  you  needn't  laugh ! 

We  showed  mamma  the  last  effect.    "Here  is  the  type,"  we  said, 
"Of  all  the  dozen  pussy-cats — see  what  a  splendid  head!" 
"Splendid?     A  terror!"  cried  mamma— quite  frank,  to  say  the 
least ;  _ 

"Each  puss  would  be  a  truer  type  than  this  composite  beast!" 


242  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

KITTY. 


HERE,  and  there,  and  everywhere, 
Climbing,  running,  frisking; 
On  the  table,  in  the  chair. 

Round  the  parlor  whisking, 
Kitty  seems  forever  flitting. 

Maids  and  mistress  scold  and  laugh; 
Now  she's  in  the  basket  sitting; 
Let  me  take  her  photograph. 

Most  important  person,  Kitty ! 

Equal  to  a  baby — nearly ! 
Full  of  mischief — more's  the  pity, 

Everybody  sees  that  clearly ! 
See!   She's  on  the  parlor  table, 

Breakfasting  on  milk  and  cream — 
Steals  as  much  as  she  is  able, 

Of  the  rest  she  makes  a  stream. 

Scrambling  up  the  window  curtain, 

To  the  mantel-piece  she  leaps  ; 
Down  go  ornaments,  that's  certain! 

Broken  fragments  lie  in  heaps. 
Kitty  never  feels  she's  sorry — 

Never  has  the  slightest  shock; 
So  she  dozes,  free  from  worry, 

Sitting  calmly  on  the  clock ! 

Mrs.  Pussy,  her  dear  mother, 

Watches  her  in  mute  delight ; 
Wondering  at  so  much  bother 

With  her  kit  from  morn  till  night. 
Kitty  plumps  on  mother's  back, 

Bites  her  ears,  and  pulls  her  tail, 
Gets  a  scolding  and  a  smack, 

JBut  it's  all  of  no  avail. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  243 

Here,  and  there,  and  everywhere, 

Kitty  scampers  through  the  house; 
Mother  shows  her  how  to  scare, 

How  to  kill  a  captured  mouse. 
Up  the  trees,  and  on  the  wall, 

Heedless  she  of  all  reproof; 
Deaf  to  the  maternal  squall, 

She  is  playing  on  the  roof. 

Oh,  Miss  Kitty !  of  to-morrow 

Little  know  you,  little  care ; 
Never  dream  of  coming  sorrow, 

How  you  may  in  future  fare. 
Happy  now,  and  full  of  frolic, 

Only  eat  and  drink  and  play, 
Never  suffer  gout  or  colic, 

Or  meet  misery  half  way. 


CATS  RECOGNIZED  BY  CAT  CLUBS  OF  TO-DAY. 


1.  Short-Haired  Cats        2.  Long-H aired  Cats 


Siamese 

Black      - 

Blue  (Maltese) 

White 

Manx 

Blue 

Foreign 

Orange 

Tabby 

Cream 

Spotted 

Sable 

Bicolor 

Smoke 

Tricolor 

Tabby 

Tortoise  Shell 

Spotted 

Black 

Chinchilla 

White 

Tortoise  Shell 

Sable 

Bicolor 

Ticks 

Tricolor. 

Abyssinian. 

244  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

JIM  WOLFE  AND  THE  CATS. 

Mark  Twain. 


WE  was  all  hoys  then,  an'  didn't  care  for  nothin'  only  how 
to  shirk  school,  an'  keep  up  a  revivin'  state  of  devilment 
all  the  time.  This  yah  Jim  Wolfe  I  was  talkin'  about  was  the 
'prentice,  an'  he  was  the  best-hearted  feller,  he  was,  an'  the  most 
forgivin'  an'  onselfish,  I  ever  see.  Wall,  there  couldn't  be  a  more 
bullier  boy  than  what  Jim  was,  take  him  heow  you  would ;  and 
sorry  enough  was  I  when  I  see  him  for  the  last  time. 

Me  an'  Henry  was  allers  pesterin'  him,  an'  plasterin'  hoss  bills 
on  his  back,  an'  puttin'  bumble-bees  in  his  bed,  an'  so  on,  an' 
sometimes  we'd  jist  creowd  in  an'  bunk  with  him  not'standin'  his 
growlin',  an'  then  we'd  let  on  to  git  mad,  and  fight  acrost  him,  so 
as  to  keep  him  stirred  up  like. 

He  was  nineteen,  he  was,  an'  long,  an'  lank,  an'  bashful,  an' 
we  was  fifteen  an'  sixteen,  an'  pretty  tolerabal  lazy  an'  wuth- 
less. 

So,  that  night,  you  know,  that  my  sister  Mary  giv  the  candy- 
pullin',  they  started  us  off  to  bed  airly,  so  as  the  comp'ny  could 
have  full  swing ;  an'  we  swung  in  on  to  Jim  to  have  some  fun. 

Wall,  our  winder  looked  out  onter  the  ruff  of  the  ell,  an'  about 
ten  o'clock  a  couple  of  ole  tom-cats  got  to  raisin'  an'  chargin' 
reound  on  it,  an'  carryin'  on  just  like  sin. 

There  was  four  inches  of  snow  on  the  ruff,  an'  it  froze  so  there 
was  a  right  smart  crust  of  ice  on  it,  an'  the  moon  was  shinin' 
bright,  an'  we  could  see  them  cats  jist  like  daylight. 

First  they'd  stand  off,  e-yow-yow-yow,  jist  the  same  as  if  they 
was  a-cussin'  one  another,  you  know,  an'  bow  up  their  backs,  an' 
bush  up  tiieir  tails,  an'  swell  around,  an'  spit,  an'  then  all  of  a 
sudden  the  gray  cat  he'd  snatch  a  fian'ful  of  fur  off  the  yaller  cat's 
back,  an'  spin  him  around  jist  like  a  button  on  a  barn  door.  But 
the  yaller  cat  was  game,  an'  he'd  come  an'  clinch,  an'  the  way 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  245 

they'd  gouge  an'  bite  an'  howl,  an'  the  way  they'd  make  the  fur 
fly,  was  peowerful. 

Wall,  Jim  he  jist  got  disgusted  with  the  row,  an'  'lowed  he'd 
climb  out  there  an'  shake  'em  off'n  that  ruff.  He  hadn't  reelv 
no  notion  o'  doin'  it,  likely,  but  we  everlastingly  dogged  him,  an' 
bully-ragged  him,  an'  'lowed  he'd  allers  bragged  heow  he  wouldn't 
take  a  dare,  an'  so  on,  till  bimeby  he  jist  histed  the  winder  an'  lo 
an'  behold  you !  he  went — went  exactly  as  he  was — nothin'  on  but 

his ulster.     You  ought  to  'a'  seen  him!     You  ought  to  seen 

him  creepin'  over  that  ice,  an'  diggin'  his  toe-nails  an'  finger-nails 
in,  fur  to  keep  him  from  slippin' ;  an'  'bove  all,  you  ought  to  seen 

that ulster  a-flappin'  in  the  wind,  and  them  long,  ridicklous 

shanks  of  his'n  a-glistenin'  in  the  moonlight. 

Them  company  folks  was  down  there  under  the  eaves,  an'  the 
whole  squad  of  'em  under  that  ornery  shed  o'  dead  Wash'ton 
Bower  vines — all  settin'  reound  two  dozzen  sassers  o'  bilin'-hot 
candy,  which  they'd  sot  in  the  snow  to  cool.  An'  they  was  laughin' 
an'  talkin'  lively ;  but,  bless  you  !  they  didn't  know  nothin'  'bout 
the  panorammy  that  was  goin'  on  over  their  heads. 

Wall.  Jim  he  just  went  a-sneakin  an'  a-sneakin'  up  unbeknown 
to  them  tom-cats — they  was  a-swishin'  their  tails,  an'  yow-yowin' 
an'  threatenin'  to  clinch,  you  know,  an'  not  payin'  any  attention 
— he  went  a-sneakin'  an'  a-sneakin'  right  up  to  the  comb  of  the 
ruff,  till  he  got  in  a  foot  an'  a  half  of  'era,  an'  then  all  of  a  sudden 
he  made  a  grab  for  the  yaller  cat!  But  by  gosh  he  missed  fire 
an'  slipped  his  holt,  an'  his  heels  flew  up,  an'  he  flopped  on  his 
back,  an'  shot  off'n  that  ruff  just  like  a  dart!— went  a-smashin' 
an'  a-crashin'  down  through  them  old  rusty  vines,  an'  landed 
right  in  the  dead  center  of  all  them  comp'ny  people ! — sot  down 
jist  like  a  yearthquake  in  them  two  dozen  sassers  of  red-hot  candy, 
an'  let  off  a  howl  that  was  hark  from  the  tomb !  They  got— wall, 
they  left,  you  know.  They  see  he  warn't  dressed  for  comp'ny,  an' 
so  they  left — vamoosed. 

All  done  in  a  sec'nd ;  it  was  jist  one  little  war-whoop  an'  a 
whish  o'  their  dresses,  an'  blame  not  one  of  'em  was  in  sight 
anywhere  \ 


246  CATS   AND    KITTENS. 

Jim  he  war  in  sight.  He  was  gomed  with  the  bilhr  hot  molasses 
candy  clean  down  to  his  heels,  an'  more  busted  sassers  hangin' 
to  him  than  if  he  war  a  Injun  princess — an'  he  come  a-prancin' 
upstairs  jist  a-whoopin'  an'  a-cussin',  an'  every  jump  he  giv 
he  shed  some  sassers,  an'  every  squirm  he  fetched  he  dripped 
some  candy !  an'  blistereel !  why,  bless  your  soul,  that  poor  creeter 
couldn't  reely  set  down  comfortable  for  as  much  as  four  weeks. 


KITTEN  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 


James  Buckram. 


THIS  kitten,  sir,  of  the  Colonel's?     I'll  tell  the  story. 
We  were  at  Roanoke,  a  month  ago. 
Waiting  the  fleet,  and  camped  the  hill-side  white. 
One  night,  when  sentinels  were  all  at  post. 
We  lay  around  the  fires  and  talked  of  home. 
The  smoke  wreathed  up  into  the  still  blue  sky, 
The  wind  was  whisf,  and  all  the  stars  shone  clear — 
Just  such  a  night  as  sleeps  above  the  hills 
Of  old  New  England  when  the  frosts  are  hoar — 
Talking  not  aloud,  but  soft,  as  soldiers  talk, 
After  some  months  o'  the  rolling  drum  and  sight 
Of  blood.     The  sentinel's  sudden  challenge  came : 
"Halt!     Who  goes  there?" 

We  all  leaped  up  and  harked. 
"Only  Doll  Brewster,  sir;  I've  brought  my  kitty." 
What!  a  child's  voice? — a  child  at  bayonet's  point? 
Shame !     Let  her  pass. 

Into  the  fire-light  then, 
Led  gently  by  two  brave,  kind  soldier-boys, 
Blushing,  with  downcast  eyes,  and  pretty  lip 
Half-cnrled  to  cry,  hair  loose  and  all  like  gold, 
A  kitten  on  her  breast,  walked  sweet  Doll  Brewster, 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  247 

Well,  sir,  the  regiment  came  on  the  run  ; 
And  such  a  wall  of  'cm,  all  of  'em  looking  clown 
At  a  ten-year  girl,  hair  loose,  lip  curled  to  cry, 
And  a  kitten,  white  as  snow,  curled  under  her  chin. 
"Just  like  my  sister!"  cried  one;  "And  mine!"  cried  another, 
Till  the  fire  began  to  look  dim  to  all  of  us. 
Then,   sir,  the   Colonel  came,   with  his   sword  a-clanking. 
"What's  this?"  he  cried,  but  stopped,  and  his  face  grew  soft. 
"Please,  sir,"  said  Doll,  "I've  brought  you  my  little  kitty, 
It's  all  I  had.  and  Papa  is  sick  and  poor. 
(Mamma,  you  know,  is  dead.)      We're  Northerners,  sir, 
And  brother  died  for  the  flag.    I  loved  him  so ! 
Please  take  my  kitty ;  I  want  to  give  something,  sir." 

The  Colonel?     He  stooped  and  caught  her  in  his  arms — 
Caught  kitten  and  Doll,  and  kissed  'em  both.     He  did ! 
And  every  man  of  us  would  have  done  the  same, 
And  mighty  glad  of  the  chance. 

There  wasn't  an  eye 
Could  hold  its  tears,  nor  cheek  that  had  kept  dry, 
-And  if  it  hadn't  been  for  the  Colonel  there, 
A  hundred  of  us  would  have  kissed  the  child. 

That's  all  the  story  of  the  kitten,  sir — 
The  Colonel's  kitten  and  the  regiment's. 
We  wouldn't  have  a  hair  of  it  hurt  for  gold — 
Nor  blood,  if  it  came  to  that ! 

Have  you  a  sister  ? 
You  know  how  a  man  can  feel  for  a  bit  of  a  child 
With  golden  hair  and  eyes  like  the  heaven's  blue; 
And  she'd  a  brother  who  died  for  the  old  flag,  too ! 

Oh,  sir,  we  dreamed  of  home  the  livelong  night — 
Sisters  and  sweethearts,  mothers,  and  wives  and  daughters. 
Never  was  sweeter  sleep  in  a  soldier's  camp. 
And  all  because  that  little  bright-haired  child, 


248  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Doll  Brewster,  with  a  kitten  on  her  breast 
Came  up  the  hill,  marched  by  the  sentinel's  gun, 
Stood  in  the  fire-light  with  Jier  golden  hair 
All  loose,  and  pretty  lip  half-curled  to  cry, 
And  said:    "It  is  all  I  had.     Please  take  it,  sir — 
Please  take  my  little  kitty ;  I  want  to  give  something." 


THE  WATCH-CAT. 


Elliot  Walker. 


OTHELLO  sits  at  top  of  cellar  stairs  and  gazes  reflectively 
down  into  the  gloom.  He  has  washed  his  paws  and  now 
is  reflecting.  Yes,  he  has  caught  the  mouse  and  eaten  him — a 
most  delicious  mouse — a  most  exciting  moment — when,  after  long, 
patient  wait  behind  the  wood-box,  his  prey  suddenly  darted  across 
to  the  refrigerator.  Othello  had  given  one  quick  spring — and 
•now  he  lashes  his  long  black  tail  from  side  to  side  at  the  recol- 
lection— it  had  been  a  great  satisfaction  to  catch  that  mouse 
at  last. 

But  now  the  mouse  is  gone,  and  so  is  Othello's  occupation.  For 
three  successive  nights  he  had  crouched  in  patient  watching.  Now' 
the  mouse  is  no  more,  and  Othello  almost  wishes  it  back  in  its 
hole,  so  that  he  might  again  pass  long  hours  in  delightful  antici- 
pation. And  that  was  the  last  mouse  in  the  cellar !  No  use  to 
go  down  again.     Nothing  to  do,  and  he  may  as  well  go  to  sleep. 

What  is  that  ?  Noises  outside  the  door — strange  whispers ! 
Why  !  the  key  turned  round  in  the  keyhole  by  itself !  How  funny ! 
He  will  put  up  his  paw  and  play  with  it  if  it  does  that  again.  The 
door  is  opening  and  cold  air  is  coming  in,  and  something  else 
coming  in,  too — two  such  creatures  as  you  never  have  seen  before 
— muffled  creatures,  with  queer  black  things  over  their  faces  and 
queer  things  in  their  hands.  Yes,  they  must  be  men,  but  very 
queerly  dressed,  and  they  cast  searching  glances  in  every  direc- 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  249 

tion.  What  a  queer  little  lamp  they  have  lighted — just  a  glare 
of  light,  then  darkness,  then  light  again  that  moves  here  and 
there.  Oh,  they  are  going  down  cellar,  to  look  in  the  refrigerator, 
probably,  or  possibly  to  shake  the  furnace.  That  is  all  the  master 
goes  down  cellar  for. 

The  cat  crawled  from  his  hiding-place  to  top  of  cellar  stairs 
and  again  gazed  into  the  gloom.  What !  Are  they  talking  about 
that  beautiful  roast,  and  the  pudding  and  the  cold  mashed  pota- 
toes ?  They  are  going  too  far ;  they  might  have  the  potatoes,  but 
the  cold  meat — that  is  too  much !  He  will  tell  his  master,  and 
the  master  will  make  them  give  it  back,  even  as  he  had  made 
Othello  give  up  the  young  robin,  by  choking  and  blows.  Yes, 
he  shall  know  of  this  at  once.  But  how  to  reach  him?  The 
pantry  doors  to  kitchen  and  dining-room  are  always  locked  now, 
ever  since  the  parrot  came.  Ah,  he  understands  it  now !  Those 
creatures  in  the  cellar  are  friends  of  the  parrot — probably  invited 
by  him  to  come  and  gobble  everything.  That  is  the  parrot  all 
over,  wanting  everything  and  getting  it,  and  Othello,  who  for- 
merly had  the  run  of  the  house,  and  went  regularly  to  wake  the 
master  every  morning,  is  now  relegated  to  the  kitchen,  with  the 
pantry  door  locked. 

Othello  grins  at  recollection  of  the  reason  for  locking  that  door. 
When  the  parrot  had  arrived  six  months  before  and  cast  a  shadow 
over  Othello's  position,  hatred  and  jealousy  filled  his  feline  bosom. 
To  be  sure,  the  parrot  was  talented  and  could  say  real  words 
like  people,  and  Othello  admired  that,  but  his  disposition  was 
mean,  and  after  he  had  startled  Othello  by  screeching  "Scat!" 
and  "Get  out,  Blacky!"  something  had  to  be  done.  And  now 
it  pleases  him  much  to  remember  the  scientific  play  of  his  claws 
on  the  parrot's  head  and  neck,  and  the  way  the  feathers  flew,  and 
the  appalling  screams.  Well,  Ephraim — that  is  the  parrot's  name 
— had  no  business  to  insult  him.  He  began  it  by  putting  his  head 
through  the  bars  of  the  cage  and  rasping  out  "Niggerhead !  Nig- 
gerhead!  I  chew  niggerhead!"  Ephraim  had  come  over  in  a 
sailing  vessel,  and  the  sailors  had  taught  him  many  evil  words 
and  phrases.     So  Othello  had  reached  out  one  paw  invitingly 


250  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

and  Ephraim  had  struck  at  it  viciously.  But  Othello  had  pulled 
the  paw  back  quickly  and  brought  the  other  one  down  on  Eph- 
raim's  head  and  held  it  there  while  he  raked  him  with  the  other. 
And  all  the  people  in  the  house  had  come  running,  and  he  was 
cuffed  and  driven  down-stairs. 

The  men  in  the  cellar  are  coming  toward  the  stairs  now,  and 
Othello  retires  under  the  stove.  Now  they  are  in  the  kitchen 
again  and  have  put  the  food  on  the  dresser.  Othello  would  like 
some  of  that  cold  meat — it  smells  delicious — but  he  fears  to  come 
out  from  under  the  stove.  He  is  suspicious.  He  will  wait. 
What  are  they  doing?  Unlocking  the  door  to  the  pantry.  How 
excited  they  seem !  Now  they  are  unlocking  the  dining-room 
door.  What  are  they  after?  He  crawls  quietly  after  them — they 
cannot  see  him  in  the  shadow,  but  he  can  see  everything.  Oh, 
they  have  laid  a  great  nasty  bag  on  the  dining-room  table,  and 
they  are  taking  from  the  sideboard  all  of  those  bright  things  that 
the  family  eat  with  and  take  such  care  of,  and  are  putting  them 
into  the  bag  very  carefully.  There  goes  little  Jenny's  mug — 
the  one  she  lets  him  have  milk  from.  No,  that  will  not  do.  No 
meat,  no  milk !  Now  is  his  chance.  From  the  dining-room  to 
the  hall,  then  up-stairs  to  the  master's  room.  How  very  easy, 
all  in  a  minute  ! 

What  did  that  man  say? — "Get  the  swag  ready  and  leave  it  on 
the  table;  we'll  step  back  and  eat.  Don't  move  it  now — it  may 
rattle.  We'll  carry  it  off  when  we  start — good  haul !"  Othello 
pricks  up  his  ears.  "Carry  it  off!"  Yes,  he  understands  that. 
He  has  been  cuffed  often  for  carrying  off  things — chops  and 
slices  of  meat.  These  horrible  men  shall  be  cuffed,  too — the 
master  will  do  it.  Creep  along,  Othello,  creep  along!  Up  the 
stairs  now,  down  the  hallway,  into  the  master's  room.  You  will 
rouse  him  and  save  what  you  little  know  the  value  of.  Jump 
on  him,  scratch  him — anything!  You  have  done  it.  He  is  wide 
awake  now  and  trembling;  is  out  of  his  warm  be'd,  and  seems 
to  understand.  There  is  a  bright,  shining  thing  in  his  hand  and' 
his  face  is  white  and  set. 

Bang!     Bang!     Bang!     Bang!     Why  are  you,  brave  Othello, 


CATS  AND   K  ITT  EMS.  251 

cowering-  at  top  of  the  attic  stairs  ?  Two  short  seconds  ago  you 
were  on  the  master's  bed,  purring  loudly.  What  is  that  awful 
rush  below,  out  of  the  kitchen  where  the  clock  ticks,  out  across 
the  porch,  across  the  lawn,  into  the  road  ?  Bang !  Bang !  outside 
the  house,  then  the  sound  of  rapid  running.  Why,  what  is  it, 
Othello?  What  are  people  screaming  for,  and  why  is  little  Jenny 
crying,  why  is  Ephraim  screeching  atrociously,  and  why  are  you, 
with  your  tail  twice  its  natural  size,  wailing  dismally?  Fright, 
Othello,  general  fright — and  you  brought  it  about  with  your 
notions  of  the  rights  of  property.  Quiet  down  now  and  crawl 
down-stairs  to  see  what  you  get. 

They  are  gathering  in  the  dining-room,  with  all  the  lights  going 
full  blast,  as  you,  Othello,  sneak  down-stairs  wondering  what  it 
all  means.  The  master  has  just  come  back  from  the  outside, 
quite  pale  and  shaky.  "Fired  six  times  and  never  hit  one  of 
them,"  he  says.  "Did  they  get  anything?"  And  the  mistress, 
who  has  emptied  the  dirty  bag  on  the  table,  replies,  "Not  a  thing, 
William." 

They  are  all  quiet  now,  especially  Othello,  who  feels  the  queer 
experience  deeply,  and  wonders  how  much  abuse  he  will  get  when 
he  is  discovered  hiding  by  the  sideboard.  The  master  spies  him, 
and  lifts  him  tenderly,  with  words  of  such  affectionate  apprecia- 
tion that  Othello  wonders  still  more,  but  sinks  his  claws  gently 
through  the  thin  covering  and  purrs.  "Ow!"  says  the  man,  and 
quickly  extricates  them.  He  strokes  the  cat  very  gently,  and 
turning  to  his  wife,  says,  "Maria,  let's  get  rid  of  that  parrot. 
From  this  time  forward  the  cat  shall  have  first  place.  I  have 
thought  lately  of  buying  a  watch-dog,  but  it  is  not  necessary.  I'd 
rather  have  a  watch-cat  like  Othello." 


Ones. — Why  does  a  cat  look  on  first  one  side  and  then  on  an- 
other when  she  enters  a  room? 

Ans. — Because  she  can't  look  on  both  sides  at  the  same  time. 


252  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 


TOM. 


M.  T.  HART. 


(  ( "TNEAR  Tom  is  dead,  please  come  to-night !" 
I   J     She  telegraphed.     With  keen  delight 

I  read  the  message. 
Roses  for  consolation  meant 
I  sent,  but  oh,  with  what  content 

I  paid  expressage ! 


Don't  think  me  heartless,  till  you  know 
Death  has  relieved  me  of  a  foe. 

Tom  was  my  rival. 
When  he  began  to  pine  away, 
I  scarcely  was  the  one  to  pray 

For  his  survival. 

He's  hated  me  since  first  we  met; 
He  was  a  most  pronounced  brunette, 

While  I  am  fair. 
He  Avas  more  favored  of  the  two ; 
Of  soft  caresses  very  few 

Fell  to  my  share. 

But  now  he's  dead,  I  feel  no  spite. 
I  hope  his  harp  is  tuned  all  right, 
His  robe  a  fit,  his  halo  bright 

With  gems  galore. 
And  just  this  once  do  I  confess 
The  reason  of  my  happiness — 
Because  on  earth  there's  one  cat  less, 

In  heaven  one  more. 


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  253 


MY  PET  CAT. 


I  WANT  to  tell  you  about  my  pet  cat.  I  am  sure  it  will  interest 
you.  He  is  marked  like  a  tiger,  with  white  paws  and  a 
white  pompon  in  the  end  of  his  tail.  I  have  never  seen  or  heard 
of  a  cat  who  eats  the  things  he  does.  One  day  he  knocked  down 
a  bottle  of  olives  from  the  pantry  shelf  and  ate  four.  Other 
things  he  likes  are  red  beets  and  baked  beans ;  sometimes  he  even 
prefers  them  to  meat. 

One  of  his  bad  habits  is  to  lie  in  my  flower  garden.  I  have  it 
in  a  bay  window,  where  the  sun  shines  on  it  all  the  morning. 
As  it  is  nice  and  warm  there,  I  have  caught  him  a  number  of 
times  trying  to  sleep  among  the  flowers. 

He  isn't  a  bit  afraid  of  dogs ;  indeed,  they  are  more  afraid  of 
him,  for  he  often  chases  them  out  of  the  yard. 

One  morning  last  winter  I  could  not  find  him  anywhere.  At 
last  I  heard  a  faint  mew.  I  listened,  and  heard  it  again,  this 
time  fainter  than  before.  I  looked  all  OA^er.  At  last  I  thought 
of  the  oven  in  the  kitchen  stove.  I  opened  it,  and  out  walked 
my  pet,  more  dead  than  alive.  He  must  have  gone  in  when  no 
one  was  looking,  and  so  had  the  door  shut  on  him. 

One  place  he  enjoys  to  get  in  is  the  clean  clothes  basket,  and  it 
is  needless  to  say  that  the  cook  chases  him.  One  day,  after  she 
had  ironed  a  whole  basket  of  clothes  he  jumped  in  the  basket 
and  went  to  sleep.  He  hasn't  gone  into  the  kitchen  since.  I  think 
he  knows  the  reason  why. 

He  hates  to  hear  anyone  whistle.  When  I  begin  he  sits  on  his 
hind  legs  and  cries  until  I  stop,  sometimes  even  jumping  into 
my  lap  and  begging  me  by  rubbing  against  my  arm. 

We  have  another  cat,  who  is  kept  in  the  kitchen.  My  pet 
seems  to  hate  him.  I  believe  he  does  not  think  the  other  cat 
half  as  good  as  he  is.  They  are  continually  fighting,  for  "the 
kitchen  cat,"  as  I  call  him,  tries  to  take  my  cat  down  a  peg  or 
two. 


254  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

CATCHING  THE  CAT. 


Margaret  Vandegrift. 


THE  mice  had  been  in  council ; 
They  all  looked  haggard  and  worn, 
For  the  state  of  things  was  too  terrible 

To  be  any  longer  borne. 
Not  a  family  out  of  mourning — 

There  was  crape  on  every  hat. 
They  were  desperate ;  something  must  be  done, 
And  done  at  once,  to  the  cat. 

An  elderly  member  rose  and  said, 

"It  might  prove  a  possible  thing 
To  set  the  trap  which  they  set  for  us — 

That  one  with  the  awful  spring!" 
The  suggestion  was  applauded 

Loudly,  by  one  and  all, 
Till  somebody  squeaked,  "That  trap  would  be 

About  ninety-five  times  too  small !" 

Then  a  medical  mouse  suggested — 

A  little  under  his  breath — 
They  should  confiscate  the  very  first  mouse 

That  died  a  natural  death ; 
And  he'd  undertake  to  poison  the  cat, 

If  they'd  let  him  prepare  that  mouse. 
"There's  not  been  a  natural  death,"  they  shrieked, 

"Since  the  cat  came  into  the  house!" 

The  smallest  mouse  in  the  council 

Arose  with  a  solemn  air, 
And,  by  way  of  increasing  his  stature, 

Rubbed  up  his  whiskers  and  hair. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  2& 

He  waited  until  there  was  silence 

All  along  the  pantry  shelf, 
And  then  he  said  with  dignity, 

"/  will  catch  the  cat  myself! 

"When  next  I  hear  her  coming, 

Instead  of  running  away, 
I  shall  turn  and  face  her  boldly, 

And  pretend  to  be  at  play : 
She  will  not  see  her  danger, 

Poor  creature !     I  suppose ; 
But  as  she  stoops  to  catch  me,       , 

I  shall  catch  her  by  the  nose !" 

The  mice  began  to  look  hopeful, 

Yes,  even  the  old  ones,  when 
A  gray-haired  sage  said  slowly, 

"And  what  will  you  do  with  her  then?" 
The  champion,  disconcerted, 

Replied  with  dignity,  "Well, 
I  think,  if  you'll  all  excuse  me, 

'T  would  be  wiser  not  to  tell. 

"W'e  all  have  our  inspirations — " 
This  produced  a  general  smirk, 
"But  we  are  not  all  at  liberty 

To  explain  just  how  they'll  work. 
I  ask  you,  then,  to  trust  me : 

You  need  have  no  further  fears — - 
Consider  our  enemy  done  for !" 
The  council  gave  three  cheers. 

"I  do  believe  she's  coming!" 

Said  a  small  mouse,  nervously. 
"Run,  if  you  like,"  said  the  champion, 

"But  /  shall  wait  and  see!" 


256  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

And  sure  enough,  she  was  coming; 

The  mice  all  scampered  away 
Except  the  noble  champion, 

Who  had  made  up  his  mind  to  stay. 

The  mice  had  faith — of  course,  they  had- 

They  were  all  of  them  noble  souls, 
But  a  sort  of  general  feeling 

Kept  them  safely  in  their  holes 
Until  some  time  in  the  evening; 

Then  the  boldest  ventured  out, 
And  saw,  happily  in  the  distance, 

The  cat  prance  gayly  about! 

There  was  dreadful  consternation, 

Till  someone  at  last  said,  "Oh, 
He's  not  had  time  to  do  it — 
Let  us  not  prejudge  him  so !" 
"I  believe  in  him,  of  course,  I  do," 

Said  the  nervous  mouse,  with  a  sigh, 
"But  the  cat  looks  uncommonly  happy, 
And  I  wish  I  did  know  why !" 

The  cat,  I  regret  to  mention, 

Still  prances  about  that  house, 
And  no  message,  letter,  or  telegram 

Has  come  from  the  champion  mouse. 
The  mice  are  a  little  discouraged ; 

The  demand  for  crape  goes  on ; 
They  feel  they'd  be  happier  if  they  knew 

Where  the  champion  mouse  had  gone. 

This  story  has  a  moral — 

It  is  very  short,  you  see, 
So  no  one,  of  course,  will  skip  it, 

For  fear  of  offending  me. 


Virginia  Bell  (two  years  old), 
Who  posed  with  Tootsy  Wootsy. 


Tootsy  Wootsy  at  the  Seashore. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS,  257 

'"■'•■        .         •■-'   •'  .  •  ■;>-. 

It  is  well  to  be  courageous, 

And  valiant,  and  all  that, 
But — if  you  are  mice- — you'd  better  think' twice 

Before  you  catch  the  cat.  •  -  ?  v:    ' 


QUOUStiUE  TANDEM,  0  CATILINE? 


A.  L.  Frisbie. 


OYE  feline  brutes  erotic. 
Is  there  not  some  "strong  narcotic, 
Some  refined  and  rare  hypnotic, 

Some  potent  spell, 
Soothing  catnip,  helleborus, 
Anything  to  still  the  chorus  •       -    ;  ''-f 
Of  your  piercing,  wild,  sonorous   '  -: 

Nocturnal  yell?  '•*  " 

Stirring  wrath  in  souls  pacific, 
Thwarting  agents  soporific, 
Blighting  visions  beatific 

With  horrid  din;  ■  lu 

Moving  even  spirits  saintly 
To  utter,  almost,  low  and  faintly^' 
Words  divided  very  scantly 

From  words  of  sin ! 

O  ye  brutes,' my- windows  under,?'       -  ■" 

Me  and  sleep  ye  widely  sunder. 

O  for  power,  for  once,  to  thunder  _  . 

Annihilation ! 
Q  for  boot-jacks,  half  a  hundred — 
O  for  hand  that  never  blundered, 
Hurling,  while  the  neighbors  wondered,  \ 
".Pacification! 


358  CATS  AND.  KITTENS. 

O  for  catapults  to  smite  ye! 
O  let  catalepsy  blight  ye! 
All  catastrophes  invite  ye, 

Cataclysmal ! 
Cataracts  be  on  ye  falling ! 
Curse,  concatenate,  appalling, 
Stop  your  ghoulish  caterwauling, 

Paroxysmal ! 


WHAT  I  WANT. 


David  L.  Proudfit. 


I   WANT — I  don't  know  what  I  want;  I'm  tired  of  everything; 
I'd  like  to  be  a  queen  or  something — no,  a  bearded  king, 
With  iron  crown  and  wolfish  eyes,  and  manners  fierce  and  bold, 
Or  else  a  plumed  highwayman  or  a  paladin  of  old. 

We  girls  are  such  poor  creatures,  slaves  of  circumstance  and 

fate. 
Denied  the  warrior's  glory  and  the  conqueror's  splendid  state ; 
And,  puss,  you  are  so  mortal  slow ;  I  wish  you  could  be  changed 
Into  a  catamount,  with  tastes  quite  violent  and  deranged. 

I'd  like  an  earthquake,  that  I  would— O  puss,  I  tell  you  what, 
Some  planets  have  two  suns  and  different  colors,  too,  at  that ; 
Now  there  would  be  variety ;  two  mornings  every  day — 
One  green  or  brown,  for  instance,  and  the  other  crimson,  say. 

What  splendid  lights,  what  curious  shades,  what  transformation 

scenes ! 
What  queer  surprises,  puss,  just  think,  what  lovely  pinks  and 

greens !  . .    !  .- 

How  funny  Gus  would  look !    He  is  so  poky  and  so  flat ! 
JBut  such  complexions !    After  all,  I  shouldn't  fancy  that. 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  259 

I'll  never  marry  Gus,  of  that  I'm  very  sure,  at  least; 

I'd  sooner  be  a  bandit's  bride,  united  by  a  priest. 

Oh,  there  you  are,  sir !    No,  indeed  !    I'll  not  be  kissed  at  all ! 

No,  sir.    I've  changed  my  mind;  \ye  won't  be  married  in  the  fall. 

_ :■    -    ■      ."■   .-.,.-  ;    /  \ 

Now  do  be  still !  I've  changed  my  mind.  My  privilege,  I  believe — 
Oh,  horrible !    What's  this  ?    A  daddy-long-legs  on  my  sleeve ! 
Oh,  Gus,  come  quick!     I'm  deadly  faint!     Do  take  the  thing 

away!  •    ':-  .  ' 

Yes,  yes,  I'll  promise  anything!     I'll' marry  you  to-day! 


UNGRATEFUL  CAT. 


NO,  pussy,  you  naughty,  ungrateful  old  cat, 
To  scratch  me,  because  I  just  gave  you  a  pat 
When  you  would  not  draw  dolly  across  the  floor. 
I  had  harnessed  you  tight  with  a  scarlet  cord, 
And  had  promised  to  give  you  some  cream  as  reward 
And  a  couple  of  sardines — what  could  I  do  more  ? 

Now,  dolly's  as  light  as  a  feather,  you  know; 

And  the  carriage  almost  of  itself  will  go ; 

Yet  youwould'not  pull  it,  and  tried  to  get  loose, 
And  entangled  yourself,  and  the.  carriage  upset, 
And  then  the  wheel  broke,  and  you  got  in  a  pet. 

Now,  for  your  behavior  there  was  no  excuse., 

Just  see  how  my  finger  is  bleeding !    Oh,  dear ! 
How  it  hurts!    It  will  not  get  well  soon,  j  fear. 
Now,  are  you  not  sorry  P am- in  such  pain?     ,  • 

No  sardines  orcream  you  shall  have,  puss,  from  me ; 

And  a  very  long  time  you  .will  find  it -will  be 
Before  I  play  horses  with  you,  puss,  again. 


2&r  CATS  AND   KITTENS. 

IN  LIQUOR. 


A  MOUSE,  one.  day  on  frolic  bent, 
About  a  brewery  roaming, 
Into  a  beer  vat  sudden  went,  .   . 

And  called,  with  sighs  and  groaning, 

Upon  a  cat,  which  passed  that  way, 
Though  to  its  sight  most  hateful : 
"Sweet  puss,  come,  lift  me  out,  I  pray, 
And  I'll  prove  ever  grateful." 

"How  would  it  help  you  in  the  least," 

Replied  Grimalkin,  grinning, 
"When  I  at  once  would  on  you  feast? — 

And  where  would  be  the  sinning?" 

"And  better  so  than  here  to  drown, 
Dear  puss!     So  help  me  speedy,  .,    . 
And  I'll  to  you  my  life  pay  down, 
And  will  not  call  you  greedy.  , .  . ' 

"Quick !  or  you  will  be  all  too  late ! 
I  perish — I  am  freezing!" 
Puss  helped  him  out;  but,  luckless  fate! 
The  beer  fumes  set  her  sneezing. 

The  mouse  she  dropped,  which  sped  away,''*" 

And  in  its  safe  hole  nestled. 
Puss,  disappointed  of  her  prey, 

With  craft  and  anger  wrestled. ;  -  _  f  % 

"Come  from  that  hole,"  she  cried,  "and  roam 
\\^ith;me  in  regions  upper."      ■_ ...  : 

"Excuse  me>  puss;  I'll  keep  at  home.--         ,- 
Go;  elsewhere  seek  your  supper."  


CATS  AND   KITTENS.  261 

"You  cheating  rascal !    Think,  O  think ! 
You  promised  I  should  eat  you, 
If  I  would  help  you.    Now  you  shrink,-— 
Come  out!  let  me  entreat  you." 

"I  know  I  promised,"  mousie  said, 
"Yet  wonder  not,  nor  bicker; 
For  when  such  promise  it  was  made, 
You  know,  /  was  in  liquor!" 


POET'S  LAMENTATION  FOR  LOSS.  OF  HIS  CAT. 


Joseph  Green. 


[Dr.  Mather  Byles  (Boston,  1706-1788)  an  eloquent,  realistic,  witty  and  ge- 
nial preacher,  had  a  favorite  cat  called  The  Muse.  After  her  death,  the 
doctor's  friend,  Joseph  Green,  wrote  the  following  elegy.] 

Oppressed  with  grief,  in  heavy  strains  1  mourn 
The  partner  of  my  studies  from  me  torn. 
How  shall  I  sing?    What  numbers  shall  I  choose? 
For  in  my  favorite  cat  I've  lost  my  Muse. 
No  more  I  feel  my  mind  with  raptures  fired, 
I  want  those  airs  that  Puss  so  oft  inspired ; 
No  crowding  thoughts  my  ready  fancy  fill, 
Nor  words  run  fluent  from  my  easy  q.uill. 

She  in  the  study  was  my  constant  mate ; 
There  we  together  many  evenings  sate. 
Whene'er  I  felt  my  towering  fancy  fail, 
I  stroked  her  head,  her  ears,  her  back  and  tail, 
And  as  I  stroked  improved  my  dying  song 
From  the  sweet  note  of  her  melodious  tongue : 
Her  purs  and  mews  so  evenly  kept  time, 
She  purred  in  metre,  arid,  she  mewed  in  rhyme. 


262  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

Ofttimes  when  lost  amidst  poetic  heat, 
She  leaping  on  my  knee  there  took  her  seat ; 
There  saw  the  throes  that  racked  my  laboring  brain, 
And  licked  and  clawed  me  to  myself  again. 

Then,  friends^  indulge  my  grief,  and  let  me  mourn, 

My  cat  is  gone,  ah !  never  to  return ! 

Now  in  my  study  all  the  tedious  night, 

Alone  I  sit,  and  unassisted  write ; .. 

Look  often  round  (O  greatest  cause  of  pain!) 

And  view  the  numerous  labors  of  my  brain ; 

Those  quires  of  words  arranged  in  pompous  rhyme, 

Which  braved  the  jaws  of  all-devouring  time,  -u  -- 

Now  undefended,  and  unwatched  by  cats,      - 

Are  doomed  a  victim  to  the  teeth  of  rats. 


"WE'VE  LOST  OTJR  JOB.'' 


Stanley  Schell. 


rAction  Poem  for  Two  Children. 


Written  especially  for  this  book. 


WE'VE  lost  our  job,  and  can't  you  see 
The  tears  we  both  are  shedding,  free  ? 
No  dainty  rats  or  mice  to  get:       r 
They're  killed  to-day  by  rat  biscuit.. 

Why  are  we  wronged  so,  can  you  tell? 
I'm  sure  you  all  do  know  so  well 
The  fun  we've  lost,  and  good  work  too, 
By  catching  rats  and  mice  a  few. 

Do  give  us  both  another  chance, 
To  catch  your  mice  and  make  them  dance ; 
I'm  sure  you  all  know  just  how  hard 
It  is  for  us  to  lose  our  job. 


CATS  AND  KITTENS.  a$3 


SOUTHEY'S  CATS  WRITE  THEIR  MASTER. 


Robert  Southey. 


[Southey  conferred  honor  upon  his  cats  according  to  their  services.  He 
raised  one  to  the  highest  rank  in  peerage,  promoting  him  through  all  its  de- 
grees by  the  following  titles:  His  Serene  Highness  the  Archduke  Rumpel- 
stilzchen,  Marquis  Macbum,  Earl  of  Tomlemagne,  Baron  Raticide.  Waowl 
her,  and  Skaratchi.] 

Dear  Master: 

Let  our  boldness  not  offend,     •  - 
If  a  few  lines  of  duteous  love  we  send; 
Nor  wonder  that  we  dealin  rhyme,  for  long 
We've  been  familiar  with  the  founts  of  song. 
Nine  thorougher  tabbies  you  could  rarely  find 
Than  those  who  laurels  round  your  temples  bind; 
For  how  with  less  than  nine  lives  to  their  share 
Could  they  have  lived  so  long  on  poet's  fare? 
Athens  surnamed  them  from  their  mousing  powers, 
And  Rome  from  that  harmonious  mu  of  ours, 
In  which  the  letter  u    (as  we  will  trouble  you 
To  say  to  Todd)  should  supersede  e  w. 

This  by  the  way.    We  now  proceed  to  tell 
That  all  within  the  bounds  of  home  are  well ; 
All  but  your  faithful  cats,  who  only  pine; 
The  cause  your  conscience  may  too  well  divine. 
&*m    Ah  [little  do  you  know  how  swiftly  fly 
-t     The  venomed  darts  of  feline  jealousy; 
I  How  delicate  a  task  to  deal  it  is 

With  a  grimalkin's  sensibilities. 
When  Titten's  tortoise  fur  you  smoothed  with  bland 
And  coaxing  courtesies  of  lip  and  hand, 
We  felt  as  if  (poor  Puss'  constant  dread) 
Some  schoolboy  stroked  us  both  from  tail  to  head. 


264  CATS   AND   KITTENS. 

Nor  less  we  suffered  while  with  sportive  touch 

And  purring:,  voice  you  played  with  gray-hacked  Gutch. 

And  then  with  eager  step  you  left  your  seat 

To  get  a  peep  at  Richard's  snow-white  feet, 

Himself  all  black ;  we  longed  to  stop  his  breath 

,,.;:      With  something  like  his  royal  namesake's  death. 

;T  . ■■:  If,  more  suchi  scenes  our  frenzied  fancies  see,  ; 

;A^;^Re|olVed  we  hang  from  ^yonder  maple  tree — 
And  were  not  that  a  sad  catastrophe ! 

.  Oh !  then  return  to  your  deserted  lake, 
Dry  eyes  that  weep,  and  comfort  hearts  that  ache.  e  : 
Our  mutual  jealousies  we  both  disown, 
Content  to  share  rather  than,  lose  a  throne. 
The  parlor--— — -Rumpel's  undisputed  reign,. 

Hurly's— r-rthe. rest  of  all  your  wide  domain. 

...Return,  return,  dear  Bard, 
Restore  the  happy  days  that  once  have  been; 
Resign  yourself  to  Home,  the  Muse,  and  us. 

,,.  .         Scratched  Rumpelstilzchen, 

HURLYBURLYBUSS. 


LITTLE  CAT  MADE  FUR  FLY. 


SHE  was  only  a  small  black  and  white  cat  of  humble  birth,  re- 
turning from  a  little  social  party.  It  was  rather  late  at  night, 
but  what  of  that?  Cats  keep  no  count  of  the  hour,  and  she  was 
as  dignified  and  proper  in  her  bearing  as  a  mature  black  and 
white  puss  need  be.  There  was  nothing  about  her  to  justify  the 
insolent  attitude  of  a  Scotch  terrier,  who  suddenly  confronted 
her  with  a  snarl  and  a  snap.  Puss  tried  to  cross  the  street,  but 
a  trolley  car  was  in  the  way,  and  the  impudent  terrier  made  bold 
to  chase  her.  She  suddenly  turned,  and  the  terrier  stopped.  Her 
back  went  up,  her  tail  grew,  big,  and  she  spat  out  defiance  at 
jier  tormentor.    The  terrier  may  have  been  rude,  but  tie  w^s 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  $6$ 

discreet — he  kept  at  a  safe  distance.  Two  or  three  newsboys,  a 
"red-hot"  man,  and  a  police  officer,  were  interested  spectators. 
They  most  ungallantly  sided  with  the  terrier,  who  was  now  bark- 
ing ferociously,  but  keeping  well  out  of  pussy's  reach.  One  of  the 
boys  threw  a  stone  at  the  combatants ;  it  rolled  between  them, 
and  the  terrier's  attention  was  diverted  for  a  moment  from  his 
antagonist.  It  was  his  first  mistake.  Puss  saw  her  opportunity 
and  leaped  at  the  terrier,  landing  fairly  on  his  back.  In  a  second 
she  had  her  claws  full  of  his  hair,  and  he  was  running  for  dear 
life  down  the  street.  Puss  held  on  like  a  circus  rider,  contriving 
to  sink  her  sharp  claws  into  his  back  at  every  jump.  The  crowd 
followed,  shouting.  As  they  passed  an  alley  puss  jumped  off  and 
disappeared  in  the  darkness.  There  is  one  terrier  who  has  had 
enough  fun  with  cats  to  last  him  a  lifetime. 


TOODLEKINS  AND  FLIP. 


Flip  [zvakens  up,  stretches  and  yawns]  — 
"Mieu,   mieu,   mieu,   mien, 

Our  coats  are  clean,  and  our  paws  are,  too ; 
And  mammy's  gone  around  the  house 
To  see  if  she  can  find  a  mouse. 
Mieu,  mieu,  mieu,  mieu, 
Toodlekins  sleeps  the  whole  day  through ; 
This  world  is  so  dull,  there's  nothing  to  do — 
Except  to  doze  again — mieu,  mieu!" 

[Yazvns  and  curls  up.] 

Toodlekins  [wakens  up.] 
"Mieu,  mieu,  mieu,  mieu, 
Flip's  sound  asleep,  and  there's  nothing  to  do. 
I  wish  I  could  catch  a  great  big  mouse, 
Life  is  so  dull  in  this  old  house! 
Mieu,  mieu,  mieu,  mieu, 
There's  nothing  at  all  for  a  kitten  to  do— 
Except  to  doze  again— mieu,  mjeu," 


2(6  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

Flip — 
•  "Toodlekins !" 

TOODLEKINS 

"Flip!" 

Flip— 
'Toodlekins !     Mieu !" 

Toodlekins — 
"I  hear  a  nibble !" 

Flip — 
"I  do,  too!" 

Toodlekins — 
"Must  be  a  rat !     Such  a  great  big  noise !"  , 

Flip — 
"Maybe  it's  one  of  those  horrid  boys  !" 

Toodlekins — 
"No,  it's  a  mouse!     I  see  it's  tail!' 

Flip — 
"No,  it's  a  rat  as  big  as  a  pail!" 

Toodlekins —  - 

"I  see  its  eyes!     I  see  its  tail!     It's  mine!" 

Flip — 
"No,  no!     It's  mine!     Take  that!"     [Cuffs  her\ 

Toodlekins — 
"It'  mine,  you  horrid,  robber  cat !" 

Flip — 
"I  saw  it  first!    Takethat,  and  that!"     [Slaps  and  scratches.] 

Toodlekins — 
"You  horrid  cat,  take  that !     Take— that !" 

The  Mother  Cat — 
"Meow,  meow!     Why,  children  dear ! 
Is  this  what  happens  when  I'm  not  here? 
For  shame  !     For  shame !     There's  a  baby  mouse — 
The  tiniest  thing  in  all  the  house — 

Has  just  slipped  away. 
Kittens  must  be  quick  and  quiet 
If  they  would  have  fat  mice  for  diet." 


'CATS  AND  KITTENS.  267 

CAT'S-MEAT  MAN;  OR,  CUPBOARD  LOVE. 


PERSIAN,:  Tom;  and  Tabby, 
Every  kind  of  cat; 
Lank  and  long  and  shabby, 
Short  and  sleek  and  fat; 
Fresh  from  night  of  slumming, 

Down  my  street  they  ran, 
Waiting  for  the  coming 
Of- the  Cat's-meat  man. 

Rogues  of  humble  station, 
Lathy  ones  and  lean, 

Eager  expectation 

In  their  eyes  Of  green; 

Swells,  who  set  the  fashions, 
Purred  of  clique  and  clan, 

Waiting  for  their  rations 

From  the  Cat's-meat  man. 

Startled  by  their  cater — 
Wauling,  just  outside, 

Where  the  bridge  of  Batter- 
Sea  surmounts  the  tide, 

At  my  window,  seated, 
Gazing  oh  its  spart, 

Prayerfully  I  greeted 

Chelsea's  Cat's-meat  man. 

Leader  of  the  legions, 

Stalked  a  stalwart  brute, 
Target,  in  these  regions, 

Of  the  hostile  boot; 
Mourning  for  that  lost  Ro- 

Mance  I  once  began, 
Thusly  I  apostro- — 

Phized  the  Cat's-meat  man : 


268  CA TS   AND  KITTEN  S\ 

"Hamelin's  famous  piper 
Pacing  Weser's  flats, 

Was  not  half  so  hyper- 
Critical  of  rats ; 

Heedless  he  of  sample, 
None  escaped  his  ban  ; 

What  a  good  example 
For  a  Cat's-meat  man ! 

'"Worse  than  bandsman  Teuton 

Is  that  Fiend,  who  riles 
With  his  weird  love  suit,  on 

Chelsea's  echoing  tiles; 
Heed  my  ruined  rapture, 

Verse  that  wouldn't  scan ; 
Compass  me  his  capture, 

Oh,  my  Cat's-meat  man. 

"Friend,  would  you -deliver 

One  who'd  fain  indite 
Rhymelets  to  the  river 

In  the  shrieking  night, 
Plunge  that  feline  vagrant. 

On  the  piper's  plan, 
In  those  >  aters  fragrant, 

Gentle  Cat's-meat  man. 


"Gratefully  I'll  bless- you 

O'er  the  midnight  oil, 
Rhymefully  address  you 

When  you've  eased  my  toil. 
Nay,  when  that  Tom-cat  you 

Drown,  -as  well  you  can, 
I'll  erect  a  statue 

To  you,  Cat's-meat  man!" 


CATS  AMD  KITTENS.  269 

Chelsea's  meat  purveyor 

Never  said  a  word;  . 
Knew  not  what  to  say,  or 

Haply,  never  heard. 
Still  in  feline  phrases 

Thomas  leads  the  van, 
Hymning  midnight  praises 
•  To  the  Gat's-meat  man.  .  i 


PUSSY-GAT  AND  MOUSE  ON  THANKSGIVING. 


IT  was  a  hungry  pussy-cat    ;    , 
-  Upon  Thanksgiving  morn, 
And  she  watched,  and  she  watched, 
And  she  watched,  and  she  watched, 
She  watched  a  thankful  little  mouse, 
That  ate  an  ear1  of  corn. 

"If  I- ate  that  thankful  little  mouse, 
How  thankful  he  should  be, 
When  he  has  made  a  meal  himself 
To  make  a  meal  for  me. 
Then  with  his  thanks  for  having  fed/ 
And  his  thanks  for  feeding  me, 
With  all  his  thankfulness  inside — 
How  thankful  I  shall  be." 

But  the  little  mouse  had  overheard 

And  declined  with  thanks  to  stay. 

So  before  the  cat  could  make  a  spring 

Dear  little  mouse  did  glide 

Right  through  a  very  tiny  hole 

Into  the  window-frame. 

Thus  did  the  hungry  pussy-cat:;     ". 

Upon  Thanksgiving  Bay  .:.  ;      '=  :~:\    v- 

Lpse  a  gloriously:  fine  feed :;  : 

By  musing  time  away.' :     --/.     ~~' 


21*  CATS  AND  KITTENS. 

JET  AND  SNOWFLAKE. 


Dialogue  for  One  Boy  and  One  Girl. 

Snowflake — 

GOOD  evening,  pretty  Pussy  Cat,  I'm  glad  to  find  you  here, 
I  want  a  playfellow  so  much, there's  nothing  you  need  fear. 
I  knew  that  you  were  coming  soon,  for  pretty  Mistress  May 
Told  me  she  had  a  pussy-cat  that  would  be  here  to-day. 
"Snowflake,"  she  said,  and  gave  my  head  a  gentle  pat. 
"I  hope  that  you'll  be  very  kind  to  my  new  pussy-cat, 
She's  really  handsome,  you  will  see,  her  coat  is  black  as  jet, 
But,  Snowflake,  please  remember  now,  that  you're  my  earliest 
pet." 

Jet— 
Oh,  doggie,  doggie,  I'm  afraid,  you'll  bark  and  growl  and  fight, 
You'll  look  so  very  angry  that  you'll  put  me  in  a  fright. 
All  cats,  you  know,  are  timid  things,  but  if  you  will  be  kind, 
I'll  be  the  merriest  playfellow  that,  ever  you  can  find. 

Snowflake — 
O  pussy!     I  should  be  afraid  to  frighten  you  at  all, 
For  I'm  a  big,  strong  dog,  and  you,  well,  really,  you  are  small. 
You  are  quite  black,  except  for  one  white  spot  upon  your  breast; 
I'm  glad  you  are  not  a  tortoise-shell,  I  like  black  cats  the  best. 

Jet— 
Yes,  you  are  white,  and  I  am  black,  we  go  together  well, 
Now  do  you  see  that  from  my  neck  there  hangs  this  little  bell ; 
Your  pretty  mistress  gave  it  me,  and  said :     "Now  little  Jet, 
To  frighten  all  the  mice  away,  be  sure  you  don't  forget." 

Snowflake —  ...'.,  *.  ..   ..- 

Ah !  what  is  that  ?     I  hear  a  sound,  'tis,  pretty  Mistress  May ; 
Now,  Jet,  be  good,  and  let  her.  see  you  know  how  to  obey. 
Her  eyes  are  blue,  her  cheeks  are  pink,  hex  dress  is.,  soft  as  silk, 
She  is  bringing  me  a  fine  big  bone,  and  you  some  nice  warm  milk. 


CATS   AND   KITTENS.  I    271 

THE  MODEL  CAT. 


Mrs.  Frederick  W.  Pender. 


Written  especially  for  this  book. 


NOW,  there's  a  cat  who's  gaining  fame, 
And  Tootsy  Werner  is  her  name. 
And  all  her  manners  are  so  nice, 
She  can't  be  bought  at  any  price. 

In  beauty  she  is  hard  to  beat;     v     ^ 
Is  clever,  {00,  and.  very  neat; 
And  cats  of  high  of  low  degree,:^ 
Can  never  "Tootsy's"  equal  bef        .^ 

A  ball  she  rolls  with  grace  and  skill,    / 
Or  tangles  twine  at  her  sweet  will ; 
And  of  ten  .in  "some  box  or  pail 
You'll  find  her  chasing  her  own  tail. 

For  she  is  full  of  fun  and  play,       ' 
And  sometimes  likes  to  have  her  way; 
Tho'  still  no  fault  in  her  you'll  find, 
This  model  cat,  so  good  and  kind. 

She  never  goes  upon  the  street 
For  fear  some  tramp  cat  she  might  meet, 
And  she  will  never  bring  disgrace 
On  Werner's  celebrated  place. 

For  there  Miss  Tootsy  got  her  name, 
And  there  she  made  a  start  in  fame ; 
And  should  you  wish,  why,  more  to  know, 
To  Tootsy's  home  you'll  have  to  go 

To  EDGAR  S.  WERNER  &  CO., 
43  &  45  East  19th  Street,  New  York  City. 


2J2. 


